# not worth a whistle

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/not-worth-a-whistle
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Worthless or pointless.

## Examples

- That old broken watch is not worth a whistle.
- The cheap tool broke immediately, so I realized it was not worth a whistle.
- Despite the elaborate marketing campaign, the product proved to be not worth a whistle once customers discovered its fundamental flaws.

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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.