the penny drops

US /ðə ˈpɛni drɑps/
UK /ðə ˈpɛni drɑps/
"the penny drops" picture
1.

やっと理解できた, 合点がいった

used to say that someone has finally understood something, especially after a period of not understanding

:
It took him a while, but then the penny dropped and he realized his mistake.
彼には少し時間がかかったが、その後やっと理解できた、そして自分の間違いに気づいた。
I kept explaining, but it wasn't until I drew a diagram that the penny dropped.
私は説明し続けたが、図を描いて初めてやっと理解できた