Describing Qualities - Usefulness & Value

Master English idioms regarding usefulness and value, like "dead as a dodo" and "worth the candle".

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better than nothing [phrase]

used to say that having a particular thing that is considered lesser or lower in quality or worth is more preferable than having nothing at all

Ex: Although the salary offer was lower than expected , I accepted it because it was better than nothing in a tough job market .

like gold dust [phrase]

(of something valuable and desirable) extremely difficult to get, particularly due to a lot of people desiring it as well

Ex: In the job market , qualified candidates with specialized skills are like gold dust for employers .

alive and (well|kicking) [phrase]

(of something) still successful, prosperous, or popular

Ex: The neighborhood bookstore , despite the rise of online retailers , is alive and kicking , offering personalized recommendations and hosting book signings that draw in book lovers from the community .

in hand [phrase]

used to refer to something that is almost ready and can be put to use when needed

Ex: The project is nearing its completion , and we have all the necessary resources in hand to wrap it up .

treasure trove [noun]

a thing or a set of things considered very dear or valuable to one

Ex: The library 's special collection is a treasure trove of rare books and manuscripts .

(as|) dead as a dodo [phrase]

not as popular or interesting as before

Ex: Vinyl records , while still cherished by some , are considered as dead as a dodo in the mainstream music industry .

(as|) dead as mutton [phrase]

not functional or in general use anymore

Ex: The once-popular gadget is now dead as mutton , overshadowed by newer , more advanced technology .

out of date [phrase]

no longer useful or fashionable

Ex: The textbook used in the course is out of date and does not cover the latest research and developments .

ad hoc [adjective]

done for a specific purpose or situation

Ex:

worth the candle [phrase]

(of an achievement) completely worth all the effort one puts in or all the trouble one goes through

Ex: The team debated whether the additional effort required to implement the new software feature was worth the candle in terms of its impact on user experience .

dead and (buried|gone) [phrase]

(of a thing) cannot happen or exist again in the future, due to being completely finished in the past

Ex: After losing the election , his political career was considered dead and buried .

up to the mark [phrase]

good enough to meet a certain requirement or standard

Ex: This report is up to the mark and ready for submission .

rough and ready [phrase]

simple but good enough to fulfill a particular need or purpose

Ex: The team 's rough and ready approach to problem-solving often yields creative and efficient solutions .

mumbo jumbo [noun]

complicated activities, rituals, or words that lack any real purpose

Ex: The self-help book promised profound insights , but it was filled with pseudoscientific mumbo jumbo instead .

crowning glory [noun]

the most important or the greatest part of something

Ex: The breathtaking view from the mountaintop is the crowning glory of the hiking trail , rewarding the hikers ' efforts .

(as|) useful as a chocolate teapot [phrase]

completely useless or ineffective for its intended purpose

Ex: Offering him advice on repairing cars is as useful as a chocolate teapot since he knows nothing about automobiles .

behind the times [phrase]

(of a thing) outdated or no longer relevant to current trends or technology

Ex: The old television set with limited channels and no internet connectivity is behind the times in the era of smart TVs .

old chestnut [noun]

a joke, story, or topic of discussion that has become repetitive and uninteresting

Ex: The politician 's promises to lower taxes are just another old chestnut we 've heard in every election .

up to speed [phrase]

having reached the desired level of knowledge, understanding, or proficiency in a particular subject, skill, or task

Ex: A new firm not yet up to speed .

black gold [phrase]

used to describe petroleum or oil due to its immense value and economic significance

Ex: The oil baron amassed a fortune from the black gold extracted from his extensive drilling operations .

Describing Qualities
Good Quality or Condition	Poor Quality or Condition	Boring or Interesting	Comparison
Similar or Dissimilar	Order and Tidiness	Old & New Things	Shape, Color & Texture
Place & Position	Location & Placement	Compatibility & Incompatibility	Suitability & Unsuitability
Usefulness & Value	Nature	Vehicles	Describing Qualities