open a can of whoop ass
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English
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]- open a can of whup ass, open a can of whoop-ass, open up a can of whoop ass, open up a can of whoop-ass
Etymology
[edit]From English whoop (variant of whip) + ass.
Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (US): (file) Audio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
[edit]open a can of whoop ass (third-person singular simple present opens a can of whoop ass, present participle opening a can of whoop ass, simple past and past participle opened a can of whoop ass)
- (idiomatic, slang, vulgar, US) A good-humored threat of physical harm.
- I'm gonna open up a can of whoop-ass on ya.
- 1998, Robert Fletcher, “No rush to see new Chan”, in University Wire:
- Chan stars in his first all-American production as chan as Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee, a noble, innocent and caring police officer who can really bust open a can of whoop-ass when given the chance.