Not have two beans, brain cells, etc. to rub together
phrase
To be poor or not have any money.
He's so broke, he doesn't have two beans to rub together.
Often appears as...
- doesn't have two beans to rub together
- haven't got two beans to rub together
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
phrase
To be unsmart or lack intelligence.
You'd think he doesn't have two brain cells to rub together, considering the decisions he's been making.
Often appears as...
- doesn't have two brain cells to rub together
- haven't got two brain cells to rub together
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To be poor or not have any money.
He's so broke, he doesn't have two beans to rub together.
Often appears as...
- doesn't have two beans to rub together
- haven't got two beans to rub together
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
phrase
To be unsmart or lack intelligence.
You'd think he doesn't have two brain cells to rub together, considering the decisions he's been making.
Often appears as...
- doesn't have two brain cells to rub together
- haven't got two brain cells to rub together
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Extreme Poverty
Emphasizes a severe lack of money, more than just ordinary financial trouble.
After losing his job, he found himself not having two beans to rub together.
Pro Tip 2/3Hyperbolic Expression
Used for emphasis, not to be taken literally; implies having very little or nothing at all.
She laughed when I said I didn't have two beans to rub together, but I was serious.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Humor
Often used in a light-hearted or joking way to describe one's financial state.
I'd join you for dinner if I had two beans to rub together!
Never forget "Not have two beans, brain cells, etc. to rub together"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension