red cent
复数形式
red cents
1
一分钱, 一毛钱
an amount of money that is extremely small
The idiom "red cent" has its origin in the United States during the 19th century. It refers to the small copper coin known as the "cent," which used to have a reddish hue due to its copper content. This phrase is used to emphasize the idea that there is no money or an extremely small amount of money involved.
- After losing his job, he didn't have a red cent left to pay his bills.
失业后，他连支付账单的一分钱都没有了。
- Despite working long hours, she didn't receive a red cent in wages from her unscrupulous employer.
尽管长时间工作，她从无良雇主那里没有得到一分钱的工资。
- The business venture failed, and they lost every red cent they had invested.
商业冒险失败了，他们失去了投资的每一分钱。
- The company's stocks plummeted, and investors were left without a red cent of their initial investments.
公司股票暴跌，投资者连最初的投资的一分钱都没剩下。
- The old house wasn't worth a red cent in its current condition and needed significant renovations.
那所老房子在目前的状态下不值一文钱，需要进行重大翻修。
2
红分, 一文不值的东西
something of no value or significance, often used to express disdain or disregard
- His promises aren’t worth a red cent.
他的承诺不值一文。
- That excuse doesn’t mean a red cent to me.
那个借口对我来说不值一分钱。
- The so-called “exclusive” deal turned out to be worth a red cent.
所谓的“独家”交易结果一文不值。
- Without evidence, your argument isn’t worth a red cent.
没有证据，你的论点一文不值。
- His loyalty wasn’t worth a red cent when he betrayed us.
当他背叛我们时，他的忠诚一文不值。