butting in / had next to nothing on

[vil]

Dear teachers,

I read just now an excerpt of the book “Modernize your English” where I found a sentence with two interesting expressions namely “butting in” and “had next to nothing on”.

I hope you’ll excuse us for butting in on you like this. It must have been embarrassing for you finding Fred on the doorstep when you had next to nothing on.

Would you be so kind to explain me the expressions in bold?

butt in = to interfere or meddle in other people's affairs, interrupt,
but in on somebody – come without warning

Don’t butt in when somebody is speaking.
I don’t want to butt in on you, so I’ll give a ring before I come.

next to nothing = hardly ever

to have nothing on = not to be up to smth., haven’t in mind, not intend to,
don’t figured that, don’t guessed that,

But there was nothing on the horizon.
I'm just looking at this stall thinking there's gon’na be next to nothing on it.
There's absolutely nothing on on Saturdays.

Regards.

V.

 

[susiedqq]

I hope you’ll excuse us for butting in (intruding, interupting) on you like this. It must have been embarrassing for you finding Fred on the doorstep when you had next to nothing on.(you were hardly clothed, you had little clothes on, you were almost naked, but not quite)

 

[vil]

Hi susiedqq,

Thank you for your unusual ingenuity as well as for your clear explanation. In addition to your descriptive interpretation of the expression in question "had next to nothing on" (you were hardly clothed, you had little clothes on, you were almost naked, but not quite) I would interpolate "you were half-dressed and you were half-clothed". Far enough off my original speculation.

Thank you again for your kindness.

Regards.

V.