What is a Bird Worth?

a picture is worth a thousand words

— used to say that it is often easier to show something in a picture than to describe it with words

for all something or someone is worth

: to the fullest extent possible : as much as possible or with as much effort as possible

• They milked/exploited their advantage for all it was worth. [=they used their advantage to help themselves as much as they could]
• He was fighting for all he was worth. [=fighting as hard as he could]
• I ran for all I was worth. [=as fast as I could]

for what it's worth

— used to say that you are not sure how helpful something you are about to say will be

• For what it's worth, I don't think your dad meant to insult you.

1 

: an amount of something that has a specified value, that lasts for a specified length of time, etc. — + of

• He bought 40 dollars' worth of gas. [=an amount of gas that costs 40 dollars]
• We carried a week's worth of food [=an amount of food that will last for a week] on the hike.
• She has 15 years' worth of experience in advertising. [=she has worked in advertising for 15 years]

2 

: the amount of money that something is worth : value

• A diamond's worth is determined partly by its cut and clarity.
• The worth of the stocks has increased.
• The furniture was of little worth since it was in such bad condition.
• His personal worth is estimated at five million dollars. [=all of his money and possessions are worth about five million dollars]

3 

: usefulness or importance : value

• The painting is of little artistic worth. = The painting has little artistic worth. [=merit]
• He has proved his worth to the team.
• The book has proved its worth by saving me hundreds of dollars.

your money's worth

Bird

1 

: an animal that has wings and is covered with feathers

• A large bird flew overhead.
• The birds were singing outside our window.
• a flock of birds

2 

informal : person

• He's a tough old bird.

3 

British, informal + sometimes offensive : girl

• We met some smashing birds at the pub last night.

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

◊ The expression a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush means that it is better to hold onto something you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better.

(as) free as a bird

birds of a feather flock together

for the birds

 informal

: worthless or ridiculous

• This town is for the birds.

give (someone) the bird

 informal

1 

US or flip (someone) the bird : to make an offensive gesture at someone by pointing the middle finger upward while keeping the other fingers folded down

• He flipped them the bird. [=gave them the finger]

2 

British : to loudly shout at, laugh at, or boo someone (such as a performer) in order to show disapproval

• The audience gave him the bird.

kill two birds with one stone

the birds and the bees

 informal + humorous

: the facts about sex that are told to children

• He dreaded having to explain about the birds and the bees[=the facts of life] to his son.

the early bird catches/gets the worm