better than a ham sandwich

cliché Not especially desirable, beneficial, or worthy of excitement, but still better than nothing. I mean, it was nice of him, but what will I do with a bowling ball? Oh well, better than a ham sandwich, I suppose! A: "Twenty long years of service, and all they're giving me is this cheap watch!" B: "Still, it's better than a ham sandwich!" They're offering us $1,000 per person for the settlement. It's not much, but I guess it's better than a ham sandwich.