red cent

noun

Informal.

1. a cent, as representative of triviality.

   His promise isn't worth a red cent.

red cent

noun

1. informal,  (used with a negative) a cent considered as a trivial amount of money (esp in the phrases not have a red cent , not worth a red cent , etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of red cent¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

see under not worth a dime.

Example Sentences

They will try to squeeze every red cent from you when you fly.

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In a country that can't find a red cent to invest in so many things Americans truly need, both parties in Congress agree that ever more staggering sums should be spent on the military.

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“Throughout this entire pandemic, Florida has not touched one red cent from our rainy day fund. So, the bottom line is this: By saving Florida’s economy our budget outlook is much more positive.”

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Why should someone’s decision to gamble on not having health insurance cost any of the rest of us one red cent more?

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“Yeah, it took off on its own. Like, there was not one red cent behind it. No marketing, no nothing,” said Brown.

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