not have two nickels to rub together

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not have two nickels to rub together

To be extremely poor; to have very little or no money to spend. Primarily heard in US. During college, when I didn't have two nickels to rub together, I survived off of ramen noodles for months at a time. They used to be so well off, but the economy crashed and their business closed, and they don't have two nickels to rub together anymore.

See also: have, nickel, not, rub, to, together, two

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not have two — to rub together

have none or hardly any of the specified items, especially coins. informal

1999 Independent Soon you realise you have as many troubles when you are rich as when you haven't two pennies to rub together.

See also: have, not, rub, to, together, two

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017