be better than a kick in the pants
To be only marginally preferable or beneficial. Well, their lowball offer is better than a kick in the pants—but not by much.
be better than a kick in the pants
If you say that something is better than a kick in the pants, you mean that it is good that is has happened or that it has been given to you, but not extremely good. Employers will pay four cents less per $100. That's slightly better than a kick in the pants.