next to nothing

idiomatic phrase

: very little

I've had next to nothing to eat.

We know next to nothing about our ancestors.

It costs next to nothing.

They did next to nothing to help their neighbors.

The dancers were wearing next to nothing.

Examples of next to nothing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web All three candidates can use the assistance, as a Saint Anselm College Survey Center poll conducted earlier this month indicated that New Hampshire voters knew next to nothing about the GOP contenders. —

Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2022 In 2017, the 49ers had next to nothing on a 0-8 team with a rookie head coach. —

Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2022 Phillips has been in his role since 1999 and has done next to nothing that has allowed the Bears to enjoy sustained on-field success. —

Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, 15 Dec. 2021 Photo: florence lo/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Chinese leader Xi Jinping turned 70 on Thursday, a milestone marked publicly in China by next to nothing. —

Austin Ramzy, WSJ, 15 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for next to nothing

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'next to nothing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of next to nothing was in 1606

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Next to nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next%20to%20nothing. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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