have the drains up

English

Verb

have the drains up (third-person singular simple present has the drains up, present participle having the drains up, simple past and past participle had the drains up)

1. To investigate the internals of a situation.
   • 2008, Kevin Duncan, So What?, page 65:

     So let's now have the drains up and have a good old look at some dodgy working practices that should have gone out with the ark.

   • 2013, Ken Bridgewater, Open Verdict, page 52:

     I want you to have the drains up. Find out why there have been all these cock-ups. I want two reports. One the official confidential one to be sent up the line and kept on file, but between you and me I want to know more than that.