not worth a plugged nickel
obsolete Completely worthless or useless; having little or no value. Refers to coins (not only nickels) that were "plugged"—that is, those that had a hole drilled in their center and were filled with cheaper metals—which made the coins illegitimate and worthless if spotted. Primarily heard in US. I was so excited when my grandpa said he'd give me his car, but this old clunker isn't worth a plugged nickel. Over the years working here I've come to realize that the boss's promises aren't worth a plugged nickel.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
not worth a plugged nickel
of no value. US A plugged coin has had a part removed and the space filled with base material.
1991 R. Hawkey & R. Bingham Wild Card If as much as a whisper gets out…none of our lives are going to be worth a plugged nickel.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
not worth a plugged nickel
mod. worth little or nothing. This new battery is not worth a plugged nickel.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.