obsolete To beg out of a prison window with a receptacle of some kind, such as a box or cup on a string, like an angler trying to catch fish. Primarily heard in UK. Imagine the days when prisons looked out onto public streets, with the prisoners shouting down at you or angling for farthings.

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.

To be completely worthless or useless; to have little or no value. Refers to farthings (obsolete British units of currency, worth one-quarter of a penny), formerly made from a copper alloy (brass). Primarily heard in UK. I was so excited when my grandfather said he'd give me his car, but this old clunker isn't worth a brass farthing. Over the years working here, I've come to realize that the boss's word isn't worth a brass farthing.

Completely worthless or useless; having little or no value. Refers to farthings, obsolete British units of currency worth one-quarter of a penny that were once made from a copper alloy (brass). Primarily heard in UK. I was so excited when my grandfather said he'd give me his car, but this old clunker isn't worth a brass farthing. Over the years working here, I've come to realize that the boss's word isn't worth a brass farthing.

Very little or no money. Refers to farthings (obsolete British units of currency, worth one-quarter of a penny), formerly made from a copper alloy (brass). Primarily heard in UK. It was while I was in university, with not a brass farthing to my name, that I truly learned the value of working for a wage. I wouldn't pay anything for this old car—not a brass farthing!