WORTH ONE'S SALT

{adj. phr.} Being a good worker, or a productive person; worth what you cost. * /Mr. Brown showed that he was worth his salt as a salesman when he got the highest sales record for the year./ - Often used with "not" or "hardly". * /When the basketball team did so poorly, people felt that the coach was hardly worth his salt./ Compare: PAY ONE'S WAY(2).