another day, another dollar 💸
Definition
“Another day, another dollar” – An expression signifying the completion of another day’s work, and the anticipated reward of wages for that effort. This idiom emerged in the early 20th century in the United States when earning a dollar a day was considered a fair wage.
Related Terms & Expressions
- Daily grind: The routine monotony of daily work.
- Living hand to mouth: Making just enough money to live on without getting ahead financially.
- Nine to five (9-to-5): A standard full-time job, often referenced in relation to typical working hours.
- Bread and butter job: A job that’s essential for one’s livelihood.
- Paycheck to paycheck: Living from one paycheck to the next, with little to no financial cushion.
Similar Idioms and Phrases
- Making ends meet: Having enough money to cover living expenses.
- Burning the midnight oil: Working late into the night.
- On the clock: Being actively engaged in work during paid hours.
- Grindstone: As in “nose to the grindstone,” meaning diligent, hard work.
- Break your back: Working intensely hard, often physically.
Synonyms
- Making a living
- Earning a wage
- Bringing home the bacon
- Gaining one’s keep
Antonyms
- Living easy
- Being on vacation
- Enjoying leisure
- Slacking off
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Another day, another dollar, and still no millionaire in sight.”
- “Another day, another dollar, yet my yacht dreams remain grounded.”
- “Fifty dollars says tomorrow will be another day with just another dollar!”
Proverbs
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
- “Hard work never killed anybody.”
Literature, Books, and Songs
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Books:
- Working by Studs Terkel – a fascinating collection of interviews about people’s experiences with work.
- Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich – exploring the lives of low-wage workers in America.
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Songs:
- “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton – a catchy anthem capturing the essence of daily work life.
- “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy – a tribute to those who plow through the week looking forward to their days off.
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Movies:
- Office Space – a cult classic comedy about the mundanity of corporate work life.
- The Pursuit of Happyness – an inspiring story of hard work and perseverance through tough times.
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
With every “another day, another dollar,” remember, you’re not just earning wages; you’re buying yourself a better future, one dollar at a time. Keep pushing through, stay inspired, and never forget to find joy in the journey. – Carrie Workwell
### Which of the following is an idiom signifying the completion of a day's work?
- [x] Another day, another dollar
- [ ] Another hour, another hooray
- [ ] Another task, another trophy
- [ ] Another second, another cent
> **Explanation:** "Another day, another dollar" is the idiom that reflects the end of a workday along with the earnings that come with it. The other options are playful creations, and not established idioms.
### Which phrase captures the idea of working hard and being diligent?
- [ ] Living in the lap of luxury
- [ ] Taking it easy
- [x] Nose to the grindstone
- [ ] Lounging around
> **Explanation:** "Nose to the grindstone" implies diligent, sustained hard work. The other phrases imply leisure or ease of living.
### True or False: 'Working for the weekend' is a song about enjoying daily work.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy is a song about looking forward to the weekend and enjoying time off from the workweek.
### What does 'burning the midnight oil' mean?
- [x] Working late into the night
- [ ] Going on a midnight snack run
- [ ] Relaxing after midnight
- [ ] Sitting by an oil lamp
> **Explanation:** "Burning the midnight oil" means working late into the night to complete tasks. It alludes to the olden days when lamps or candles provided light for late-night work.
### Which of these movies is a cult classic comedy about corporate work life?
- [ ] The Godfather
- [ ] Gladiator
- [x] Office Space
- [ ] Inception
> **Explanation:** *Office Space* is well-known for its comedic portrayal of the corporate working world and is considered a cult classic.
