fritz

be on the fritz

1. slang Of a machine, to be acting strangely or malfunctioning. Our washer is on the fritz, so I'm on my way to the laundromat. Mom called the repairman because our TV is on the fritz again.

2. slang Of a person, to be drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really on the fritz!

See also: fritz, on

on the fritz

and on the blink

not operating; not operating correctly. This vacuum cleaner is on the fritz. Let's get it fixed. How long has it been on the blink?

See also: fritz, on

on the blink

not operating well The computers in the accounting department are always on the blink and the bills don't get paid on time.

See also: blink, on

on the fritz

not working in the usual way, or not working at all The washing machine is on the fritz.

Usage notes: usually said of machines

See also: fritz, on

be on the fritz

(American informal)

if a piece of equipment or machinery is on the fritz, it does not work as it should It will be a long, hot summer - our air conditioning is on the fritz.

See also: fritz, 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 fritz

see under on the blink.

See also: fritz, 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 fritz

1. mod. not functioning properly. My watch is on the fritz.

2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. She drank till she was totally on the fritz.

See also: fritz, on

on the blink

Out of working order.

See also: blink, on

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Morag	MOR-ak	Scottish
Katheryne	KATH-ə-rin, KATH-rin	English (Rare)
Balster	['bælstə]
Sonam	-	Tibetan, Bhutanese, Indian, Hindi, Marathi
Nanuq	-	Native American, Inuit
Kelley	['keli]