A beggarly account 🤲💰🤏
Meaning
An insufficient, meager, or paltry sum of money or amount.
Origin
This phrase conjures images of the impoverished, those who subsist on mere scraps, handing over whatever meager possessions they have. Shakespeare himself used variations, such as in 'The Merry Wives of Windsor,' where Falstaff laments a measly sum as a 'beggarly account.' It's a vivid, almost tactile description of poverty, suggesting an amount so small it might as well belong to a beggar, underscoring its insignificance and pathetic nature.
A beggarly account represented with emoji🤲💰🤏
This playful arrangement of hands opening, a money bag, and a pinched finger serves as a delightful visual metaphor. It teaches the viewer to look beyond the surface, underscoring the inherent humor in representing the concept of a 'beggarly account' with such charming simplicity. Note how the familiar symbols are recontextualized to spark a moment of whimsical understanding.
Examples
- The contractor's estimate for the repairs was a beggarly account that wouldn't cover even the most basic materials.
- After working all day, all she received was a beggarly account for her efforts.
- The dragon guarded a hoard of gold, but he only offered the knight a beggarly account of three shiny buttons.
- The fairy queen, in a fit of pique, paid her sprite subjects a beggarly account of dewdrops and dandelion fluff for their loyal service.
Frequently asked questions
'A beggarly account' is best described as an idiom or a descriptive phrase rather than a proverb. Idioms are phrases whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of the words, which fits 'a beggarly account' as it signifies a meager sum. Proverbs, on the other hand, are typically short, well-known sayings that offer advice or a general truth.
The opposite of 'a beggarly account' would be a substantial, generous, or princely sum. While 'beggarly' implies insignificance and poverty, its antonyms would suggest wealth, abundance, and generosity, such as 'a king's ransom' or 'a fortune'.
While the sentiment behind 'a beggarly account' predates him, William Shakespeare is credited with popularizing the phrase through his plays. Variations appear in his works, most notably in 'The Merry Wives of Windsor,' embedding the vivid imagery of poverty into the expression.
Yes, 'a beggarly account' can still be used in modern contexts, though it is less common and carries a somewhat archaic or literary flavor. It's effective when you want to emphasize the pathetic smallness of a sum of money or an amount in a dramatic or critical way, often with a touch of irony.