grow teeth v. phr. in golf, (said of a course or hole) to become difficult; generally, to increase in importance or effect. Editorial Note: The Oxford English Dictionary has a sense under tooth “pl. denoting the ability to compel or enforce...
rubber room n. a space where a worker subject to a disciplinary hearing or other administrative action waits and does no work; generally, a place or personal mind-set of isolation. Etymological Note: After rubber room, a literal reference to a...
ditch v. especially in the phrase ditch in line, to unfairly take a place in front of others (in a line); to cut or butt (in line); to jump a queue. Editorial Note: Also infrequently given as dish. This term is particularly common in Ohio. Political...
brick v. (generally) to fail; (of a person) to commit an error or do poorly; (especially in sports) to miss or fail to reach a target, goal, or destination; (of a musical recording) to fail to be successful or sell well; to stiff; (of an electronic...
frequent flier n. a repeat offender; a recidivist; (generally) a person who regularly or habitually uses or takes advantage of a service. Etymological Note: A generalization of frequent flier, defined by the New Oxford American Dictionary as a...
jet people n.pl.— «Liberal asylum traditions have been jolted by the new reality of asylum seekers coming directly from far-away lands through the development and proliferation of air transportation systems. These are the “jet...