nothing burger
Something that is presented as being important or significant but turns out to be disappointing or have no real substance. It refers to a situation or event that fails to meet expectations.
“The big surprise my brother promised turned out to be a total nothing burger.”
“Despite weeks of media hype regarding the new product launch, the actual announcement was a complete nothing burger that failed to impress investors.”
“Legal analysts suggested that the leaked documents, while initially appearing scandalous, would ultimately prove to be a nothing burger once the full context was revealed to the public.”
first recorded 20th c.
The term is widely attributed to Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons, who used it in the 1950s to describe people or events that lacked substance. It gained significant political prominence in the United States during the 1980s when Anne Gorsuch Burford, a Reagan administration official, used it to dismiss a controversy. The metaphor relies on the imagery of a hamburger bun that contains no meat, symbolizing a hollow promise or an empty scandal.
- 01
come to nothing
To fail completely; to have no result.
- 02
dance on nothing
To be hanged.
- 03
here goes nothing
Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty about the activity about to be tried.
- 04
hiding to nothing
A situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.
- 05
if nothing else
At the very least; as a minimum.
- 06
much ado about nothing
A lot of fuss or bother about something trivial.
- 07
nothing doing
Absolutely not; definitely no.
- 08
nothing for it
No alternative; nothing else to be done or to have recourse to.
Last updated September 28, 2026