nickeled and dimed
Bled by fees
Nickeled and dimed describes being charged or drained by many small amounts rather than one large one.
The phrase suggests death by a thousand cuts—no single charge seems worth fighting, but they accumulate: We got nickeled and dimed by resort fees, parking charges, and service surcharges.
Often implies the charges feel petty or exploitative.
- overchargedCharged excessive amount
- penny-pinchingExtreme reluctance to spend
- gougedCarved or overcharged
- exploitedUnfairly utilized for benefit
- working poorEmployed but below comfort
gig economy · low wage jobs · extorted · defraud · zero-hour contracts · service fees · convenience fees · microtransactions · death by a thousand cuts · fleece · scrimping · skimping · upselling · milk · cheat · swindle · living paycheck to paycheck · paycheck to paycheck
nickeled and dimedwined and dined
Entertained with food and drink
showered with gifts · comped · pampered · spoiled · taken care of