one of His Majesty's bad bargains

English

Etymology

Suggesting that the soldier is not worth the pay he receives.

Pronunciation

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Noun

one of His Majesty's bad bargains (plural not attested)

1. (archaic, idiomatic, rare) An incapable (sick, etc) or incompetent soldier.

Synonyms

• Queen's hard bargain

References

[Francis] Grose [et al.] (1811) “One of His Majesty's bad bargains”, in Lexicon Balatronicum. A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit, and Pickpocket Eloquence. […], London: […] C. Chappell, […], →OCLC.