Money for old rope

Definitions

• easy money
  Refers to a situation where money is easily earned or obtained without much effort

• unfair payment
  Describes a situation where someone is paid an excessive amount for a task that requires little skill or effort

Examples of Money for old rope

• The company paid top dollar for the outdated equipment, saying it was worth "money for old rope".

  This idiom means that something is being paid an exorbitant amount of money for something that has little or no value. In this case, the company is buying old, outdated equipment for a high price, as if it were worth something when, in reality, it is almost worthless.

• The politician was accused of taking "money for old rope" in exchange for favors.

  This idiom is often used to suggest that someone has been bribed to do something, and that the amount being paid is far more than it's worth. In this case, the politician is accused of accepting payment for favors, as if the payment is worth more than it actually is.

• The artist insisted that his old, worn paintings were still worth "money for old rope".

  This idiom can also be used to describe something that still has some value, even if it's old and worn. In this case, the artist is suggesting that the value of his old paintings is still high enough to justify a price that some might consider exorbitant.

• The team captain was fined heavily for his reckless behavior, which he dismissed as "money for old rope".

  This idiom is often used to suggest that a punishment or penalty is overly harsh or excessive, considering the circumstances. In this case, the team captain is implying that the fine he received was far more than it should be, as if he were being punished for something that should have been ignored.

• The outdated software the company was using was sold for a hefty profit, as if old ropes were being sold for money.

  The expression "money for old rope" refers to something being sold for an unusually high price, often for something that has little to no value. In this example, the software that was being replaced was outdated and no longer useful to the company, but someone still paid a lot of money for it, like buying old ropes that are no longer in use but being sold as if they still have some value.

• The footballer, who was out of form for a long time, received a large transfer fee, as if old ropes were being sold for money.

  In sports, a transfer is when a player moves from one team to another. Sometimes, a player who is not performing well is still transferred to another team for a high fee, as if the old ropes were being sold for a lot of money.

• The antique shop sold the old painting for a substantial amount, as if old ropes were being sold for money.

  Antique items can fetch high prices because of their age and historical value. However, some paintings and artworks may lose their value over time due to their age and decreased popularity. Yet, an old painting can still be sold for a high price, as if old ropes were being sold for money.

• The politician was accused of accepting bribes for government contracts, as if old ropes were being sold for money.

  Sometimes, corrupt practices allow individuals to make money by providing something that has little or no value in exchange for something more substantial. This is a misuse of privileged positions, where even old ropes could be sold for money. This expression is often used to describe such questionable practices in the context of cases where contracts are awarded, usually when they are awarded through corrupt practices.

Conclusion

The idiom "money for old rope" is used to convey the idea of earning money easily or receiving unfair payment for minimal effort. It can be used to describe a situation where someone is making money without much work, or when someone is being paid an excessive amount for a simple task. The idiom is often used to express frustration or disbelief at the ease of earning money in a particular situation.

Origin of "Money for old rope"

The origin of the idiom "money for old rope" dates back to the practice of selling old or used rope for recycling. In the 19th century, old rope was often sold to manufacturers who would recycle it to make new rope or other products. This practice led to the expression "money for old rope," as individuals could earn money by selling something that was seemingly worthless. Over time, the idiom evolved to represent any situation where money is easily earned or excessive payment is received for minimal effort. The idiom is still used today to convey the idea of making easy money or being unfairly compensated. For example, if someone is paid a large sum for a simple task, they might say "it's like getting money for old rope."