What it means
Means you’ve already started, so you might as well commit properly and see it through, even if it ends up costing more time, effort, or cash than you meant. It’s usually said with a bit of a shrug when someone’s already halfway in and decides to go all the way.
Usage examples
"Booked one night in Brighton but mates want the whole weekend. You’ve already taken Friday off, so in for a penny, in for a pound."
"We had already ordered three courses, so in for a penny, we got dessert too."
"In for a penny, in for a pound, he remortgaged the house to fund the dream."
"We’d already paid the booking fee, so in for a penny, we upgraded the hotel and made a weekend of it."
"I was only meant to repaint one wall, but in for a penny, I ended up doing the whole flat."
Where it comes from
It’s the clipped version of the older proverb in for a penny, in for a pound, which has been around in English since the 17th century. The idea is simple: once you’ve put a little in, whether money, effort, or trouble, you may as well commit properly and take the full hit.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Shiny-Button Alchemist Official watcher of this expression
Tell me, what have you got for me?