penny ante

¹

noun

1. Cards.,  a game of poker in which the ante or basic bet is one cent.

2. Informal.,  any business arrangement or transaction involving a trifling or paltry sum of money.

penny-ante

²

[pen-ee-an-tee]

adjective

Informal.

1. involving a trifling sum of money; small in amount.

   a penny-ante investment.

2. inconsiderable; minor; small-time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of penny ante¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Origin of penny ante²

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Related Words

• frivolous 
• lesser 
• minor 
• narrow-minded