turn on a dime

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They also told me he could turn on a dime and become reclusive or even disdainful of dinner guests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

"In a world where we know that elections can sometimes turn on a dime because of narrow margins, these numbers matter," Crayton said.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2025

Now, scientists from Japan report today in Matter that they have created a bipedal biohybrid bot that can turn on a dime, albeit slowly.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 26, 2024

I mean, even some professional economists haven’t caught up and are still talking about stubbornly high inflation; we shouldn’t have expected everyday people’s perceptions to turn on a dime.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024

Her use of a small instrumental ensemble and electronics is also Monteverdian in that it can turn on a dime into popular styles; here, beats and dance music.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2023