better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick
English
Alternative forms
- better than a poke in the eye
- better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick
- better than a poke in the eye with a shitty stick
- better than a poke in the eye with a rusty nail
Phrase
better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick
- (humorous) Better than nothing; not unsatisfactory but also not a reason for enthusiastic excitement.
- Synonym: better than a kick in the teeth
- 1994 Oct. 7, Todd S. Purdum, "The 1994 Campaign: After Wary Weeks, Dinkins Announces Support for Cuomo," New York Times (retrieved 13 Sep 2015):
- Mr. Cuomo described the Dinkins endorsement as politically significant, but it is unclear just how much it matters. . . . "Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick," to borrow one of the former Mayor's favorite maxims.
Translations
better than nothing
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