up the spout
The phrase "up the spout" is primarily used in British informal contexts with varied meanings, often indicating a problematic or compromised state.
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Definition
B2General
(informal, british)In a broken or non-functional state.
Example
- My car's engine is up the spout again.
- The project went up the spout after the budget cuts.
B2General
(informal, british)Expecting a baby.
Example
- She just found out she's up the spout.
C1Military
(technical, informal)Having a round of ammunition in the chamber of a weapon.
Example
- The soldier went into battle with one up the spout.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "up the spout":
up the stumpup the poletits upbelly upon the uppiss upup the asssnot updown the drainspout outpiss something up the wallgo to poton the bumspark outstuffed uppiss up a ropetanked upon the boil