look as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence
To look very disappointed.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He looks as if he had lost a shilling and found sixpence.”
“You look as if you lost a shilling and found sixpence today.”
“When the team lost the final game, the captain looked as if he had lost a shilling and found sixpence.”
“After opening the small birthday gift she had waited weeks for, the child looked as if she had lost a shilling and found sixpence.”
“The chef looked as if he had lost a shilling and found sixpence when he realized the restaurant was completely empty on a Friday night.”
“Upon receiving the news that the project was cancelled, the manager sat at his desk looking as if he had lost a shilling and found sixpence.”
The expression originates from pre-decimal British currency, in which a sixpence was valued at exactly half a shilling. The phrasing describes the specific facial geometry of a man who has experienced a minor windfall immediately following a larger financial disappointment, resulting in a net loss of fifty per cent. It is the look of one who has been spared total catastrophe but remains mathematically worse off than when he started.
- 01
as best one can
In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.
- 02
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 03
back to square one
Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.
- 04
beat as one
To share the same feelings.
- 05
become one flesh
To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.
- 06
bite off more than one can chew
To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.
- 07
bite the big one
To perform poorly; to fail.
- 08
bite the hand that feeds one
To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).
Last updated August 10, 2026