worth one’s while: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘worth one's while’ mean?
The idiom "worth one's while" refers to something that is worthwhile or beneficial for someone to do or experience, often involving a reasonable amount of effort or time.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "worth one's weight in gold" means that someone or something is extremely valuable or precious.
The idiom "worth one's salt" means to be competent and deserving of one's pay or position.
The idiom "worth every penny" means that something is of such high value or quality that it fully justifies the price paid for it.
The idiom "worth every penny" is a figurative expression commonly used in the English language. It implies that something is of high value or quality and is worth the exact price that was paid for it.
The idiom "two pennies' worth" means expressing one's opinion or input, often in a forceful or assertive manner, usually without being asked for it.
The idiom "tuppence worth" means expressing one's opinion or viewpoint, typically when it is not considered particularly valuable or important.
An idiom used to describe someone who is performing or doing something with great intensity or effort.
This idiom is used to describe someone who is doing something with great passion, intensity, or skill. The idiom suggests that the person is putting their whole heart and soul into what they are doing, giving it their all.
The idiom "pull one's weight" means to contribute one's fair share of effort or work in a group or team.
The idiom "pull one's weight" is a commonly used expression in the English language. It refers to someone who is contributing their fair share of effort or work to a group or team. The idiom has its roots in the early 20th century and is derived from the literal act of physically pulling something with one's own strength.
The idiom "pay one's dues" means to fulfill obligations or requirements, often through hard work or sacrifice, in order to achieve success or gain a certain position.
Discovering Value
One commonly used idiom in the English language is "worth one's while." This idiom is used to express the notion of something being worthwhile or valuable in terms of time, effort, or expense.
The phrase "worth one's while" emerged in the English language in the early 17th century. It refers to a period of time and the value assigned to something.
Idiomatic expressions with similar meanings can be found in other languages. For example, in Latin, there is a phrase "labor improbus omnia vincit," which translates to "hard work conquers all." The concept of rewarding effort or hard work seems to be universal.
The idiom "worth one's while" is versatile and used in everyday conversation, literature, and formal writing. It can describe a task or activity that someone finds meaningful or beneficial, regardless of the time or effort required.
It can also emphasize the value of an opportunity or experience, suggesting that the outcome justifies the investment of time and effort. By using this idiom, speakers convey their judgment or evaluation of whether something is truly worth their while.
However, it's important to note that the idiom is subjective and can vary from person to person. What one individual considers worth their while may not hold the same value for someone else due to personal preferences, priorities, and goals.
The idiom "worth one's while" continues to be widely used in the English language. It highlights the idea of something being valuable or worthwhile in terms of time, effort, or expense. Understanding this idiom helps us appreciate the concept of value and worthiness in our daily lives.
The idiom "worth one's weight in gold" is similar to "worth one's while" in that it emphasizes the value or worth of a person or thing. The phrase "worth one's weight in gold" means that someone or something is extremely valuable or highly valued.
"worth every penny" is another idiom related to "worth one's while," indicating that something is worth the entire amount of money spent on it. In other words, it suggests that the purchase or investment was well worth the cost.
"money's worth" is yet another idiom that relates to the concept of value. It means that something is worth the amount of money paid for it, implying that the purchase was worthwhile and provided good value.
The idiom "worth one's salt" also aligns with the idea of value and worthiness. It means that someone is skilled, capable, or deserving of respect in their field. In this context, "salt" symbolizes the value or worth of the person's abilities or expertise.
Finally, "for all one is worth" is an idiom that suggests giving one's maximum effort or doing something to the fullest extent possible. It means making the utmost use of one's capabilities or resources in a particular situation.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "worth one's while" can be used in a sentence:
- Attending the conference is worth your while as it offers valuable networking opportunities.
- I wouldn't bother completing that tedious task if I were you; it's simply not worth your while.
- He decided to accept the job offer because the salary and benefits made it worth his while.
More "Valuable" idioms
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