on the street
The phrase "on the street" has multiple idiomatic meanings, often relating to public visibility, homelessness, or general knowledge.
Definition
B1Public Area
(general)In a public area, typically outdoors and accessible to everyone.
Example
- She enjoys performing music on the street for passersby.
B2Homelessness
(idiomatic)Without a permanent home or place of residence.
Example
- After losing his job, he found himself on the street.
B2General Knowledge
(informal)Widely known or understood by the public.
Example
- The rumor is on the street that the company is going bankrupt.
B2Public Market
(commercial)Available for purchase or distribution to the public.
Example
- The latest smartphone model will be on the street next month.
C1Prison
(slang, prison)A method of payment for drugs facilitated by someone outside the prison system.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on the street":
hit the streetson the roadwalk the streetstake to the streetshigh streeton the groundon the squareon the beaton theon the floordown the roadon the marketat the doorstreet nameon the jobon the linestreet wisdomon footon the spoton the outsidedown the wayin the fieldback streetback alleyin the openon the flat