look as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
A shilling was worth 12 pence, so this would represent a loss of money.
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
look as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence (third-person singular simple present looks as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence, present participle looking as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence, simple past and past participle looked as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence)
- (idiomatic, dated) To look annoyed or displeased.
Usage notes[edit]
- Various similar forms exist, e.g. "as if" may be "as though" or "like", and "a shilling" may be "a bob" or "half a crown".