for the birds: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    General EnglishneutralMachine
    • Intended as food or provision for birds; suitable to be given to birds.

    Examples

    Beta

    • We scattered some leftover bread for the birds in the park this morning.

      We gave leftover bread as food to the birds.

    • The farmer set aside some grain for the birds to help them during winter.

      The grain was intended as food for the birds.

    • She hung a feeder filled with seeds for the birds outside her window.

      Seeds were placed as provisions for the birds.

    • The garden has plenty of berries for the birds to eat throughout the season.

      Berries are available as food for the birds.

  • 2.

    United StatescolloquialinformalMachine
    • Not deserving serious consideration; unimportant, useless, or worthless.

    Examples

    Beta

    • All his excuses are really for the birds; no one believes a word he says.

      His excuses are worthless and unimportant.

    • That idea is for the birds—it won’t work in real life.

      The idea is useless and not worth considering.

    • Honestly, those complaints are for the birds; the service here is excellent.

      The complaints are unimportant and baseless.

Examples:

  • EN: The prima donnas are taking an airing- giving a concert for the birds- while we stay at home and slave for him.
    ES: Los divos salieron a orearse... a darles un concierto a las aves... mientras nosotras nos quedamos trabajando como burras para él.
  • EN: - Yes, for the birds.
    ES: Sí.
  • EN: No matter how big the city, there must always be parks... and places for the birds to live.
    ES: No importa cuán grande sea la ciudad, siempre debe haber parques y lugares para que los pájaros vivan.
  • EN: Take in these mugs and plates to be washed and throw those crumbs about for the birds.
    ES: Lava estos platos y tazas y echa las migas a los pájaros.
  • EN: It's for the birds.
    ES: Es para los pájaros.
  • EN: My father was a man who'd sprinkle bread crumbs in the window sill every morning, ...for the birds.
    ES: Mi padre dejaba migas de pan en la ventana todas las mañanas, para los pájaros.
  • EN: This is strictly for the birds, brother.
    ES: Esto es inútil, hermano.
  • EN: You're something for the birds, Rosa.
    ES: Tú estás hecha para los pájaros, Rosa.
    ES: Eres algo para los pájaros, Rosa.
  • EN: Something for the birds.
    ES: Para los pájaros.
  • EN: Aw, that's for the birds.
    ES: ¡Para los pájaros!
  • EN: I put crusts there for the birds.
    ES: Lo pongo ahí para los pájaros.
  • EN: That's your squad. Well, they're for the birds.
    ES: Son unos inútiles.
  • EN: Ricochet's for the birds.
    ES: No, eso es una estupidez.
  • EN: I'm a bachelor, but going in this low is strictly for the birds.
    ES: Soy soltero, pero ir a esta altura es sólo para aves.
  • EN: - He wants to show you the mechanism for the birds.
    ES: - Que si quiere, le enseñará el mecanismo de los pájaros.
  • EN: The prima donnas are taking an airing- giving a concert for the birds- while we stay at home and slave for him.
    ES: Los divos salieron a orearse... a darles un concierto a las aves... mientras nosotras nos quedamos trabajando como burras para él.
  • EN: - Yes, for the birds.
    ES: Sí.
  • EN: No matter how big the city, there must always be parks... and places for the birds to live.
    ES: No importa cuán grande sea la ciudad, siempre debe haber parques y lugares para que los pájaros vivan.
  • EN: Take in these mugs and plates to be washed and throw those crumbs about for the birds.
    ES: Lava estos platos y tazas y echa las migas a los pájaros.
  • EN: It's for the birds.
    ES: Es para los pájaros.

Related Idioms

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Source: Wiktionary

for the birds: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator