better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

English

Alternative forms

• better than a poke in the eye
• better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick

• better than a poke in the eye with a shitty stick
• better than a poke in the eye with a rusty nail

Phrase

better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

1. (humorous) Better than nothing; not unsatisfactory but also not a reason for enthusiastic excitement.

   Synonym: better than a kick in the teeth

   • 1994 Oct. 7, Todd S. Purdum, "The 1994 Campaign: After Wary Weeks, Dinkins Announces Support for Cuomo," New York Times (retrieved 13 Sep 2015):

     Mr. Cuomo described the Dinkins endorsement as politically significant, but it is unclear just how much it matters. . . . "Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick," to borrow one of the former Mayor's favorite maxims.

Translations

better than nothing

• Italian: meglio di un pugno in un occhio
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