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(as) phony as a three-dollar bill
(as|) fake as a two-dollar bill
(as) phony as a three-dollar bill
01
not true, real, or genuine
Dialect
American
American
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "phony as a three-dollar bill" and when to use it?
The idiom "phony as a three-dollar bill" likely originated in the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century. During that time, three-dollar bills were not a common denomination in circulation, making them rare and unfamiliar to the general public. Today, it is used to describe someone or something that is fake, fraudulent, or lacks authenticity.
Examples
His apology was phony as a three-dollar bill.
