(something) is better than nothing

(something) is better than nothing

An acknowledgment that a particular thing, although not ideal, is preferable to nothing at all. After two weeks, I finally got a return phone call from that company, which is better than nothing, I guess. Yeah, her gift was late, but it's better than nothing, at least. A: "Come on, a Christmas card from your dad is better than nothing." B: "Is it though?"

See also: better, nothing

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Something is better than nothing.

Prov. It is better to get only some of what you want than to get nothing at all. (See also .) Fred: I only got $50 for all those books I sold. Jane: something is better than nothing. Jill: Is your camera very good? Jane: It's better than nothing.

See also: better, nothing

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.