two bits

Twenty-five cents

Two bits is twenty-five cents, a quarter.

The term comes from the old Spanish dollar, which was divided into eight pieces—two of those bits equaled a quarter.

Now somewhat dated, it survives mainly in expressions: Shave and a haircut, two bits.

As an adjective, two-bit means cheap or insignificant: a two-bit con artist.

slang

quarter

One of four parts

twenty-five centsOne fourth dollar
small changeLow-denomination currency
cheapLow in price

inexpensive · pittance · trifle · paltry · nominal · measly · pocket change · spare change · chump change · nickel-and-dime

coin

silver

Lustrous white precious metal

mintAromatic culinary herb
currencyMedium of exchange
numismaticsStudy of currency

collectible · circulation · specie · coinage · obverse · reverse · eagle · liberty · treasury · denomination

vintage

old-fashioned

Belonging to earlier times

nostalgicLonging for the past
bygoneOf earlier times
yesteryearTime not long past

retro · dated · quaint · archaic · old-timey · saloon · Wild West · frontier · barbershop · shave and a haircut

Categories

currencydollar, euro, pound, yen, peso
moneydollar, euro, coin, cash, pound
small changecent, penny, nickel, dime, quarter
Number Slanggrand, G, buck, bucks, fin
colonial moneypaper money, paper currency, Spanish dollar, piece of eight, pieces of eight
money slangbucks, dough, moolah, cheddar, cash

Opposites

monetary value

two bitsbig bucks

Large sums of money

megabucks · top dollar · serious money · big money

worth/quality (figurative)

two bitsfirst-rate

Of superior quality

top-notch · high-class · premium · world-class · top-tier

Family

bit, bits, two-bit

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G