Common English Idioms: "A penny for your thoughts" Meaning: A question asking someone what they are thinking. This phrase suggests that someone's thoughts are valuable and worth a penny. Origin: The idiom "A penny for your thoughts" dates back to the 16th century. It originated in England and reflects a time when a penny was a small sum of money. The phrase suggests a desire to know what someone is thinking, often used when someone appears lost in thought or quiet. Sample sentence: "Sarah sat in silence, staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts. Finally, her friend asked, 'A penny for your thoughts, Sarah?'"