ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not worth a Continental

idiom
Meaning

worthless, lacking in value, especially due to economic inflation.


Origin

disputed origin

From the rapid depreciation of Continental currency, an early American money that became worthless towards the end of the American Revolutionary War.

Examples
SIMPLE

That old, broken watch is not worth a Continental.

CONTEXTUAL

After the company went bankrupt, their stock options were not worth a Continental.

COMPLEX

The currency collapsed so rapidly that the paper money in his wallet was soon not worth a Continental.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all one's life's worth

    A momentous matter; a very serious risk; a difficult task or situation.

  2. 02

    dime's worth

    An insignificant amount

  3. 03

    money's worth

    Satisfaction.

  4. 04

    not worth a brass farthing

    Worth nothing or next to nothing.

  5. 05

    not worth a dime

    Worthless or nearly so: lacking in value.

  6. 06

    not worth a plug nickel

    Having no or almost no value; worthless.

  7. 07

    not worth a whistle

    Worthless or pointless.

  8. 08

    not worth hell room

    worthless

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