# smell of an oily rag

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/smell-of-an-oily-rag
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A very small amount, or the absolute minimum (usually of money).

## Examples

- He bought that old car for the smell of an oily rag.
- The business was struggling, so they sold the equipment for the smell of an oily rag just to pay the rent.
- Despite the property's prime location, the desperate owner accepted the smell of an oily rag to finalize the sale before the bank foreclosed.

---

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.