if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys en · X
Pronunciation
- /ɪf ˌju peɪ ˈpiˌnʌts ˌjuː ɡɛt ˈmʌŋkiz/ (General-American)
- (General-American) audio
- /ɪf ˌjuː peɪ ˈpiːnʌts ˌjuː ɡɛt ˈmʌŋkiːz/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
A reference to peanuts (“especially of a salary: a very small or insufficient amount”) (originally US slang dating to the mid 20th century) and monkey (“a person of minimal intelligence, idiot”), with a humorous allusion to the fact that monkeys are fond of nuts.
Meanings
- (UK, informal) Offering a low payment or salary will not attract skilled workers or employees.
Relateds
false economy · buy cheap, buy twice · you buy cheap, you get cheap · you get what you pay for
Synonyms
good work ain't cheap, cheap work ain't good · if you pay bananas, you get monkeys
Translations (2)
fi viiden markan suutari tekee kuuden markan vahingon (offering a low payment or salary will not attract skilled workers or employees) · el τον κώλο βάζεις μάγειρα, σκατά θα μαγειρέψει (offering a low payment or salary will not attract skilled workers or employees)