"Dollars to button" is an idiomatic expression that signifies a situation or comparison where something is considered incredibly inexpensive or of little value. This phrase typically conveys the idea that the cost or worth of an item or service is extremely low, with the word "button" metaphorically emphasizing the insignificance or insignificance of the amount being compared to the value of a dollar.
The origins of this phrase are unclear, but it may stem from the idea that the value or purchasing power of a button is negligible or inconsequential in comparison to a dollar. It highlights the perception that in certain contexts, something may be worth only a fraction or near to nothing when measured against the common unit of currency, the dollar. Therefore, when someone says, "it costs dollars to button," they imply that the object or service under discussion is exceedingly cheap, providing a sense of how little value is attributed to it.
The phrase "dollars to button" is commonly used in informal conversations and storytelling to emphasize the sheer low value or inexpensiveness of an item or service. For instance, in a dialogue, an individual might claim, "I bought that antique vase for dollars to button; it was practically a steal!" In this context, the person is emphasizing how they acquired the valuable item at an extremely low cost, almost as if they paid next to nothing for it.