not have two nickels to rub together
To be extremely poor; to have very little or no money to spend. Primarily heard in US. During college, when I didn't have two nickels to rub together, I survived off of ramen noodles for months at a time. They used to be so well off, but the economy crashed and their business closed, and they don't have two nickels to rub together anymore.
not have two — to rub together
have none or hardly any of the specified items, especially coins. informal 1999 Independent Soon you realise you have as many troubles when you are rich as when you haven't two pennies to rub together.