for the birds

From birds pecking at horse dung, originally US Army slang, 1940s[1].

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

for the birds (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic, informal) Worthless; useless; pointless; not deserving serious consideration.
   • 1946 September 2, “Radio: Early Bird”, in Time:

     Says he: "This gettin' up at 5 o'clock is something for the birds."

   • 2004 February 15, Colin Brown, “Council tax to be replaced by new levy on incomes”, in telegraph.co.uk, retrieved 4 Aug. 2009:

     One ally of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "This is blue-sky thinking, but it is strictly for the birds. It is going to cost billions."

   • 2015, "Saints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson confident as trial closes," ESPN:

     When asked if the trial has taken a lot out of him, Benson said, "Ahh, no, man. You know, it's not fun, it's not any fun. To have your kids turn against you, that's for the birds."

• shit for the birds