a brass farthing

brass farthing

Something that is worth very little, nothing, or next to nothing. Refers to farthings (obsolete British units of currency, worth one-quarter of a penny), formerly made from a copper alloy (brass). Usually used in the negative, and most often in the phrase, "not worth a brass farthing." Primarily heard in UK. I didn't get a brass farthing for all the work I did on that project. This old car isn't worth a brass farthing. If I had a brass farthing for all the times I heard that excuse, I'd be rich by now.
See also: brass, farthing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a brass farthing

mainly BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If you say that someone will not get a brass farthing, you mean that they will not get any money at all. The tragic fact is that most children in lone-parent families will not gain a brass farthing through this Act. Note: You can also say that someone has not paid a brass farthing if they have not paid any money at all. We rented the house together, but so far she hasn't paid a brass farthing towards it.
See also: brass, farthing
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • brass farthing
  • nothing of the kind
  • nothing of the kind/sort
  • nothing of the sort
  • nothing
  • care nothing for
  • care nothing for (someone or something)
  • be worked up about (something)
  • nothing in it for (one)
  • next to nothing
References in classic literature
The man, as a matter of fact, under no circumstances, ever cared a brass farthing for what I or anybody else in his ship thought.
Mirror of the Sea
"Pleased and happy as a brass farthing," he added, stopping to shake hands with a handsome gentleman of the bedchamber of colossal proportions.
Anna Karenina
Jay Mac Yes added: "I'm so glad I haven't given your organisation a brass farthing for five years and I never will again.
First Minister comes to BBC host's rescue
You won't pay a brass farthing for your Court of Appeal bid.
Pub bombings inquest is last chance to get at truth
Bake Off judge Prue Leith calls for an end to the show's crummy jokes Not a brass farthing Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg is asked during a radio phone-in how much money we owe the EU It's a rock and roll thing - you rock and roll Wildman Ozzy Osbourne talks about his turbulent marriage to long-suffering wife Sharon
Quotes of the week
If you didn't care, you "didn't give a brass farthing." Or, disdainfully, "I wouldn't give you a ha'penny for that."
Brassed off? ..
"Their attitude throughout was that they were not going to pay Mr Hendricks a brass farthing," said the judge.
PS11m cost for ITV after 'liar Andre' fight
Next day, The Sporting Life's headline read "Not a Brass Farthing for winner backers."
Photo-finishes, justl ike sherbet fountains, aren't what they were
This is, we are told, to save money, but in fact it won't save a brass farthing! It merely defers the cost to future generations, while putting extra costs and inconvenience instantly on family members.
No sound case for education mergers; LETTERS
Seeing as Max doesn't have a brass farthing to his name, his financial predicament is soon revealed to Tanya, who is so horrified she threatens to leave him - again.
SOAPS; EASTENDERS
My own business was one of those that lost a few hundred pounds when Mr Michaelson's companies collapsed and to date we have not seen even a brass farthing in dividend.
Letter: British way of business is polite
Given a chance, they wouldn't have paid a brass farthing for the woeful first-half fare.
Football: Last-gasp Abraham takes the sting out of Hornets; Watford 2 Stockport 2
Not a brass farthing for American Ballet Theatre or, say, Ruth Page in Chicago.
Fording forward
She remarked that I work as hard as most councillors and also work at least 20 to 30 hours per week without receiving a brass farthing. I remember very well when our councillors were not paid but received only expenses.
Councillors' pay rise but no parade? I'm baffled
AS AN independent on-course bookmaker with no shops I have not laid a brass farthing on a horse at Cheltenham yet.
Hoping for a mistake from Sprinter Sacre; BEHIND ENEMY LINES On-course bookie John Hughes reveals who he's for and against