on the bum
The phrase "on the bum" is chiefly used in American slang to describe various states of disadvantage or disrepair.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Social
(informal, US)Living without a permanent home, often relying on begging or scavenging.
Example
- After losing his job, he found himself on the bum, wandering from city to city.
B2Mechanical
(informal, US)Not functioning properly or out of order.
Example
- The vending machine is on the bum again; it won't take my money.
B2Economic
(informal, US)Not working or unemployed.
Example
- He's been on the bum since the factory closed down.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on the bum":
bummed outdown at heelon someone's asson one's backup the stumpfront bumbelly upbust assdown and outdie on one's arseflat on one's backbutts upout on one's feetbust one's assup the spoutsomeone's arse offbanged uphard upbum squabbled