Diamond in the rough

I have always thought this idiom's figurative meaning was that a person being called a diamond in the rough wasn't living up to their potential yet and it was going to emerge soon. But according to this website it means someone who is basically good hearted but lacking social graces and respect for the law. It's possible this is a cultural difference since that website is UK based, perhaps it holds that figurative meaning in Britain?

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Call it a Day

The literal use of this phrase hails from 1838 when the phrase originally was "call it half a day" to mean leaving work early. (source) The modern use of the phrase is to indicate ending something due to false sense of accomplishment.

More bang for your buck

This phrase was used a lot in 1953 but an earlier citation puts it at 1940 in a Metals and Plastics Publications advertisement. Read about it here . The phrase means you get more for your money.

A dime a dozen

"It's said that in the year 1796, the first U.S. dimes were produced for circulation. Hence, it would make sense for this phrase to originate sometime after." Read more here . Today the phrase carries the meaning that something is cheap or without value if it can be lumped in with other similar or exactly-like things. It's more of an insult than anything.

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