# bucket of bolts

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bucket-of-bolts
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A piece of machinery that is not worth more than its scrap value, often an old car.

## Examples

- My old car is just a bucket of bolts.
- He tried to sell his rusty truck, but everyone knew it was just a bucket of bolts.
- Despite his deep emotional attachment to the vehicle, he eventually admitted that the rusted machine was nothing more than a bucket of bolts.

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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.