worth

any [judge/lawyer/teacher etc.] worth their salt

any judge, lawyer, teacher etc. who is good at their job. Any lawyer worth his salt should be aware of the latest changes in taxation. No judge worth her salt would attempt to influence the jury.

See also: any, judge, salt

not be worth a dime (American, informal)

to have little or no value. It turns out her precious painting isn't worth a dime - it's a fake.

See also: dime

not be worth a fig (old-fashioned)

to not be important or useful. She's just an ignorant old busybody and her opinions aren't worth a fig.

See also: fig

not be worth a hill of beans (American, informal)

to have very little or no value. None of those guys is worth a hill of beans, so don't worry about what they say.

See also: bean, hill

be worth its/your weight in gold

to be extremely useful or valuable. A book that could tell me in simple language how to use this computer would be worth its weight in gold. Really good experienced singers are worth their weight in gold to the choir.

See also: gold, weight

not be worth the paper it's/they're printed/written on

if an agreement or decision is not worth the paper it is written on, it has no value or importance. A qualification like that isn't worth the paper it's written on.

See also: it's, paper, print, written

be worth your while

if something is worth your while, you will get an advantage if you do it. It's worth your while taking out travel insurance if you are going abroad. (often + doing something)

A bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush).

something that you say which means it is better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better. If I were you I'd accept the money they're offering. After all, a bird in the hand...

See also: bird, hand

It's more than my job's worth. (British & Australian, informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone that you cannot do what they want you to do because you would lose your job if you did. I'm sorry, but it'd be more than my job's worth to take any money from you.

See also: it's, more

make something worth your while

if you tell someone that you will make it worth their while if they do something, you mean you will pay them to do something, especially something bad or illegal. If you can get us his personal files, we'll make it worth your while.

put your two cents (worth) in (American & Australian, informal)

to give your opinion in a conversation, often when it is not wanted. She always has to put her two cents worth in! Why can't she just keep quiet?

See also: cent, two

your two cents (worth)

put your two cents (worth) in - to give your opinion in a conversation, often when it is not wanted. Stay out of this - if we want your two cents we'll ask for it!

See also: cent, two

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a bird in the hand

what you have or know is better than something you do not have or know. Investors are focused on the bird in the hand, and not looking for new opportunities very much these days.

Usage notes: based on the full form, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, which is rarely used

Etymology: based on the idea that a person should catch one bird that is easy to catch rather than hoping to find more somewhere else

See also: bird, hand

for what it's worth

whether or not this is of value. For what it's worth, I think you can't trust that man. And my son says, for what it's worth, that he won't do that again.

See also: it's

get your money's worth

to receive good value for the amount you have paid. When I see how much I spend on repairs, I wonder if I got my money's worth with this car.

not worth the paper something is printed on

to have no value or importance. He's got a degree from an online university that's not worth the paper it's printed on. The landlord's promises were not worth the paper they were written on.

See also: paper, print

put your two cents in

to give your opinion. She believes it's her duty to vote and put her two cents in.

See also: cent, two

worth a damn

to have value. Kids in this city aren't getting an education that's worth a damn. I haven't asked enough people for my research to be worth a tinker's damn, but everyone I've talked to thinks it's a good idea.

See also: damn

(it's well) worth it

1. it is useful or important. Writing the book is a lot of work, and there are times when Hart wonders if the effort is worth it. If you want to have a good time traveling, it's well worth it to spend time reading guidebooks before you go.

2. it is rewarding despite the difficulties involved. It was a long climb up the hill, but the view from the top was worth it. Even though he knows that love can hurt, he still believes it's well worth it.

worth your/its salt

someone or something that deserves respect. Virtually any wine shop worth its salt carries at least a few wines from New Zealand. Any judge worth his salt would immediately report an attempt to influence the jury.

See also: salt

worth your/its weight in gold

extremely useful or valuable. User-friendly software is worth its weight in gold. Experienced singers are worth their weight in gold because they bring strength to the choir.

Etymology: based on the idea that gold is the most valuable metal

See also: gold, weight

worth your while

of benefit to you. It would be worth your while to see if you can still get tickets to the show. You could make this trip more worth your while if you arranged to see more than one client.