In For a Penny In For a Pound Meaning, Examples, Synonyms and Quiz

In for a penny, in for a pound is an English language idiom meaning once you have committed a particular course of action or taken a decision, you must be committed to it with all your heart and mind, regardless of the potential consequences or risks involved in it. In this blog, we will be talking more about ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’, its meaning, usage, examples and much more. To gain all the relevant information, make sure you keep reading this blog post.

Must Read: 500+ Most Commonly Used Idioms in English

In For a Penny, in For a Pound Meaning & Origin

This phrase, ‘In for a penny, in for a pound’ first originated in the UK and is mostly associated with gambling and betting. In the context of gambling, it suggests that if you are already willing to risk a small amount of money, that is, a penny, you might increase your bet and risk a larger amount (a pound). This idiom denotes the willingness to accept the potential consequences or losses that come with the initial decision.

The idiom “in for a penny, in for a pound” has a murky origin, but we can trace its use back to the 1600s in England. Back then, it meant that owing a small amount (a penny) wasn’t much better than owing a large amount (a pound) because the consequences of not paying either were likely similar. Over time, the idiom evolved to convey the idea that if you’ve already begun something, even if it’s become more difficult or expensive than you anticipated, you might as well see it through.

Also Read: List of Idioms and Phrases for IELTS

In For a Penny, in For a Pound Usage With Examples

The phrase ‘In for a penny, in for a pound’ is frequently used in situations where someone has already used or committed a particular course of action or decision and is now in a dilemma to either go back or indulge more and face the consequences.

Here’s an example of ‘In a penny, in a pound’ with use in a sentence – ‘He’s already in for a penny, in for a pound. If he truly believes in the venture, he should invest more and give it a fair chance.’ This means that this person has already invested a small amount of money in a risky venture and when he is faced with the option of investing more money with the potential to increase the returns or to make it more beneficial.

Here’s a list of some of the examples of the ‘In for a penny, In for a pound’ idiom, that will give you ideas on how to use them in a sentence.

• ‘Remember, in for a penny, in for a pound. You’ve already invested time and resources into this business. Don’t give up now; commit fully and work towards success.’
• ‘It’s a tough road, but remember, in for a penny, in for a pound. You’ve come this far, and quitting now would mean wasting all the effort you’ve put in. Keep pushing forward and give it everything you’ve got.’
• ‘If you want to quit, I’ll understand.’ ‘No, I’m sure we can do this. In for a penny, in for a pound.’

Also Read: Idioms with Examples

In For a Penny In For a Pound Synonyms

There are a lot of similar phrases or synonyms to the idiom ‘In for a penny, in for a pound’. Here’s a list of some of the popular similar phrases to in for a penny, in for a pound:

• There’s no stopping someone
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way
• Wild horses couldn’t…
• If it’s the last thing I do.

Also Read – Useful Idioms for IELTS That Will Boost Your Score

In For a Penny In For a Pound Quiz

Now, that you have acquired all the relevant knowledge about the idiom ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’, it’s time that you test your knowledge through the quiz we have prepared for you. You can check your answers mentioned at the end.

1. He’s going in for a penny, in for a pound because:

a) He’s already invested half of his money.

b) He enjoys wasting his time

c) He lives on rent

2. You decide to bake a cake for a friend’s party. While mixing the batter, you realize you’re missing a key ingredient. Do you:

a) Stop baking and find another way to celebrate.

b) Since you’ve already started, improvise with what you have or run to the store for the missing ingredient.

Check Your Answers!

1. He’s already invested half of his money.
2. B.

Check Related Blogs in Learn English

Proverbs	Idioms
Proverbs Starting with Z	11+ Best Idioms for Friendship
11+ Motivation Proverbs for Students To Study (with Meaning)	7+ Best Idioms for Surprise and Shock
11+ Famous Afghan Proverbs (with Meaning)	9 Idioms About Education and Academic Learning

FAQs

This was all about the “In for a penny, in for a pound meaning.” You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.