look as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence

English

Etymology

In pre-decimal British money, a sixpence was worth half a shilling.

Verb

look as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence (third-person singular simple present looks as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence, present participle looking as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence, simple past and past participle looked as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence)

1. (idiomatic, UK) To look very disappointed.