Definition
To charge, or be charged, several unexpected small amounts of money, often in the form of fees, taxes, or related expenses to a venture, which when taken as a whole add up to a significant unexpected cost.
To wear down in small increments; to quibble or obsess endlessly with (someone) over trifles.
Origins
From the names of two US coins of small value.
In Context
- "I got nickel and dimed to death by the phone company's sneaky extra charges."
- "It seems like a great offer, but they will just nickel and dime you until you've spent more than retail anyway."
- "Even as resort fees are under fire, the nickel-and-diming of travelers that airlines have adopted is seeping into hotel operations. Things that used to be complimentary, such as early check-in or late check-out, now often carry associated fees."
See Also
- fleece