the sticks

geography slang

The phrase "the sticks" is an informal term primarily used to describe rural or remote areas, often with a connotation of being far from urban centers and lacking modern amenities.

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Definition

B2Geography

(informal, derogatory)A rural or remote area, often perceived as being far from urban centers and lacking in modern amenities.

Example

She grew up in the sticks and later moved to the city.
I was the country bumpkin from the sticks.

C1American Football

(technical, sports)The set of yardage markers used by a chain crew to indicate the ten yards between the line of scrimmage from the previous first down and the line to gain.

Example

The team advanced the ball past the sticks to get a first down.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "the sticks":

up sticks dead stick dope stick shitty stick flat stick beer stick center stick throwing stick foot stick gob stick in a cleft stick gum stick hockey stick stick with stick to stick figure stick down walking stick ugly stick sticky bit fighting stick shooting stick stick together