turn on a dime

turn on a dime
1. To turn very quickly and with great agility.
The steering is so good on this car that you can turn on a dime, even at high speeds.
The running back turned on a dime and broke the tackle.
2. By extension, to change focus, activity, opinion, or behavior very suddenly or abruptly.
He's usually a nice guy, but his temper can turn on a dime sometimes.
Politicians have no loyalty to their causes—they'll turn on a dime if it means they'll get more votes.
See also: dime, on, turn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
turn on a dime
Fig.[for a vehicle] to turn in a very tight turn. This car can turn on a dime. I need a vehicle that can turn on a dime.
See also: dime, on, turn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
turn on a dime AMERICAN
If something or someone turns on a dime, they suddenly change completely or do something completely different from what they were doing before. Note: A dime is an American coin worth ten cents. Employers need to be flexible and to turn on a dime in order to stay competitive. Note: If something happens on a dime, it happens suddenly, in complete contrast to what was happening before. Outdoors I heard the rain stop on a dime. Note: The idea is of being able to change direction quickly and easily in a very small space, as if your foot were on a coin.
See also: dime, on, turn
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
turn on a dime
in. to turn sharply; to turn in a small radius. A car that will turn on a dime at high speed without turning turtle is what I want.
See also: dime, on, turn
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also:
turn (one's) back to (someone or something)
turn back
turn (one's) back
turn it up
turn up
the turn
turn
at bat
turn out
turn someone out