ENGLISH
REFERENCE

look as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence

idiom
Meaning

To look annoyed or displeased.


Origin

disputed origin

A shilling was worth 12 pence, so this would represent a loss of money.

Examples
SIMPLE

You look as if you have lost a shilling and found sixpence.

CONTEXTUAL

When the boss announced the new weekend hours, everyone looked as if they had lost a shilling and found sixpence.

COMPLEX

Upon hearing that the project deadline was moved forward by a week, the team looked as if they had lost a shilling and found sixpence, clearly displeased by the news.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  2. 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.

  3. 03

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  4. 04

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

  5. 05

    become one flesh

    To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.

  6. 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.

  7. 07

    bite the big one

    To perform poorly; to fail.

  8. 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).

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