Please, explain the meaning of these two idioms.

Hello!

Please, could you explain the meaning of these two idioms:
1. Folding like a broken umbrella (It is taken from a pocker game episode).
2. Better the monkey in your pocket than the one underfoot (said by a man who is broken).

Thank you in advance.

Niina

Just a guess from me.

The first one makes me think of something that doesn't work the way it should do. That goes wrongly and with difficulties.

About the second one it immediately made me think about another idiom: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. So that having something for sure is way better than the possibility of getting something better.

However, I've never seen before any of them so I wonder if it's not just a specific saying of just one person, phrases created for game's sake?

Right now, I've got a pony burning a hole in my pocket.

In other words, a score, five of the folding stuff.

So, could a monkey be slang for 500 quid (or GBP)?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gillnetter

I'm not sure of how a broken umbrella folds but when a person playing poker decides to not bet any more, he folds. This might mean that the person who folds (quits for this hand) does it slowly.

I can't imagine having a monkey in my pocket or why it would be better than one underfoot.

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Thank you very much for the explanation of the first idiom, you helped me a lot.

Niina

Quote:

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Originally Posted by magimagicE

Right now, I've got a pony burning a hole in my pocket.

In other words, a score, five of the folding stuff.

So, could a monkey be slang for 500 quid (or GBP)?

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Thank you for trying and teaching me a new slang expession. Unfortunately, a monkey in this context does not stant for 500 quid, but it can be in some other context.

Niina

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niina

Hello!


2. Better the monkey in your pocket than the one underfoot (said by a man who is broken).

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Where is this from? Can you give some context? Also, what do you mean by broken? Emotionally broken?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freezeframe

Where is this from? Can you give some context? Also, what do you mean by broken? Emotionally broken?

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Here is the context, its a dialogue:

A: I'll wipe out your debt.
B: And the next two months free?
A: Two weeks.
B: Agreed, if Hugo helps me.
B: Better the monkey in your pocket
than the one underfoot, right?
B: And free meals for two weeks.

Niina

I googled that and it's from a new Canadian show. :-D
I've had it on my hd for a couple of weeks now but didn't watch it yet. Maybe I will now and report back. Hope it's good.