bucket of bolts

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bucket of bolts (plural buckets of bolts)

1. (idiomatic, slang) A piece of machinery that is not worth more than its scrap value, often an old car.

   Synonyms: rattletrap, rustbucket; see also Thesaurus:old car

   • 2005, Sharyn McCrumb, St. Dale, page 141:

     On the outside, the Trans-Am still looked like a rusty bucket of bolts, but if all his little adjustments kicked in as planned, the thing should take off like a rocket.

• piece of crap, POS