# beggars can't be choosers

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/beggars-cant-be-choosers
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something is better than nothing: those who can't provide for themselves should accept whatever help is available.

## Examples

- I wanted a red car, but beggars can't be choosers.
- The hotel was not very nice, but we had no other options, so we remembered that beggars can't be choosers.
- Although the job offer was far from ideal, he accepted it immediately, acknowledging that beggars can't be choosers when employment opportunities are scarce.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.