pennyante

Penny ante, penny-ante, or penny ante are variants of an adjective and, less commonly, a noun that describe something of trivial importance, low value, or small stakes. It is used to characterize plans, actions, or competitions as petty, unimportant, or lacking in seriousness. In gambling slang, the phrase evokes ante bets that are only a penny, illustrating the minimal financial significance that the metaphor conveys.

Etymology: The expression arose in American English in the early 20th century, drawing on penny and ante, the latter being a stake required to begin a hand of poker. Over time, it broadened beyond gambling to describe non-gambling contexts with analogous insignificance or minimal scale.

Usage: Penny ante is widely used in politics, business, sports, media, and everyday speech. It can function as an adjective ("a penny-ante project") or as a noun ("a penny ante"). The term often carries a pejorative nuance, signaling dismissal of prospects as trivial or unworthy of effort.

Examples: The committee rejected the plan as penny-ante and inefficient. They argued over penny-ante details rather than the strategy. The film was a penny-ante thriller with a predictable twist.

See also: low-stakes, nickel-and-diming, petty, trivial.