hill of beans

American  

noun

Informal.

1. something of trifling value; virtually nothing at all.

   The problem didn't amount to a hill of beans.

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Etymology

Origin of hill of beans

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The authors have the temerity to report that urban community gardens, those itty-bitty lots where neighbors grow snap peas and the like, don’t amount to a hill of beans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Next to all that, a rocky relationship styled into an on-and-off situationship for a reality TV subplot is the proverbial hill of beans Rick Blaine mentioned in “Casablanca.”

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Moral victories don’t amount to a hill of beans in the NFL, but players see the upcoming schedule starting with the Bears and know this is the time to stack wins.

From Washington Times • Oct. 4, 2023

“Yes, I know that the world is going to pieces, and that the prowess of three gifted players doesn’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world,” Krauthammer wrote.

From Washington Post • Jun. 22, 2018

My father said that Gram couldn’t read maps worth a hill of beans, and that he was grateful that I had agreed to go along and help them find their way.

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech