up the spout

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Prepositional phrase

up the spout

1. (slang) broken; not functional or workable; kaput

   I think the left speaker is up the spout.

   That idea of yours for using the church hall seems to have gone up the spout.

2. (military, slang) In the chamber, having an ammunition round in a weapon's chamber.

   He went into the attack with his rifle cocked and with one up the spout.

3. (slang) pregnant

   Did you know that she's up the spout?

4. (archaic, slang) At the pawnbroker's shop (in allusion to the spout up which the pawnbroker sent the ticketed articles).

   to put/shove/pop something up the spout