mess of pottage

: something valueless or trivial or of inferior value

—used especially of something accepted instead of a rightful thing of far greater value

suspense is the mess of pottage for which the Shakespearean birthright has been sold

—E. R. Bentley

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mes of potage; from allusion to Esau's selling of his birthright to his twin brother Jacob for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25:29–34)

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