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Region: US | Usage example: That excuse is for the birds; it is not credible.

For the birds

Meaning

Not worthy of serious consideration.

Usage

Dismiss something as trivial or nonsense.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Birds were thought to eat scraps, so the phrase described worthless things.

Popularized in 20th-century American colloquial speech.

Related Idioms

Get two birds with one stone

Achieve two things with one effort.

Birds of a feather

People with similar interests tend to gather.

Kill two birds with one stone

Accomplish two objectives with a single action.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.