on the blink


on the blink

1. slang Not working correctly; acting strangely; malfunctioning. Our washer is on the blink, so I'm on my way to the laundromat. Mom called the repairman because our TV is on the blink again.2. slang Drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really on the blink!See also: blink, on

on the blink

Also, on the bum or fritz . Malfunctioning, out of order, broken, as in The TV is on the blink again, or You drive-our car's on the bum. The first of these slangy expressions dates from the late 1800s and possibly alludes to an electric light that flickers on and off ("blinks"); the second, from the same period, possibly is derived from bum in the sense of "a contemptible person"; the third, fritz, dating from about 1900, is of unknown origin. See also: blink, on

on the blink

BRITISH, INFORMALIf a piece of machinery is on the blink, it is not working properly. We had to have the washing done at the laundry because our machine was on the blink. Note: The usual American expression is on the fritz. See also: blink, on

on the blink

(of a machine) not working properly; out of order. informalSee also: blink, on

on the ˈblink

(informal) (of a machine) not working properly: Can I watch the film at your house? Our TV’s on the blink again.See also: blink, on

on the blink

1. mod. out of order; ill. (see also on the fritz.) My refrigerator is on the blink again. 2. mod. alcohol intoxicated; on a drinking spree. They all went out and got on the blink. See also: blink, on

on the blink

Out of working order.See also: blink, on