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rubber
rubber check
A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored because such funds are not available in the account in question. "Rubber" here is a play on the bouncing of a check. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. My ex-husband has been writing rubber checks all across the state.
burn rubber
To drive extremely quickly in a rubber-wheeled vehicle, especially a car. A reference to car tires which, if accelerated too quickly on pavement, can heat to the point of producing smoke and tire tracks. We're going to be late for the party, let's burn rubber!
rubber johnny
slang A condom. Primarily heard in UK, Ireland. Remember, mate: only a fool doesn't wear a rubber johnny on a one-night stand. In an effort to promote safe sexual practices, the student union began handing our rubber johnnies to everyone passing by.
rubber jungle
An aviation term among pilots and airline crew for the effect created when the rubber oxygen masks in a commercial aircraft deploy from its ceiling. Everyone started to panic when the rubber jungle appeared, so I had to reassure them that it was just a minor hiccup and that we were all perfectly safe.
rubber chicken dinner
A dinner served at a large catered event, especially a political or corporate fundraising event, in which many people must be served simultaneously and the quality of food suffers as a result. ("Rubber chicken" is sometimes hyphenated.) I'll tell you, though: more than the long hours on the road, the repetitive speeches, or the manic workload, I cannot stand the rubber chicken dinners when I'm on the campaign trail. We really wanted to throw the whole "rubber-chicken dinner" association out the window for our next charity drive, so we've partnered with a local co-op kitchen to bring fresh, home-cooked meals to the table.
rubber room
slang A room in which the walls are padded. It is typically found in psychiatric institutions, where it houses one who is not mentally stable, in an effort to prevent self-harm. That patient kept banging her head against the wall, so she is now in a rubber room for her own safety.
lay (some) rubber
Sl. to spin one's car tires when accelerating, leaving black marks on the street. At that age all they want to do is get in the car and lay some rubber. You wanna know how well I can lay some rubber in this thing?
where the rubber meets the road
Fig. at the point in a process where there are challenges, issues, or problems. Now we have spelled out the main area of dissent. This is where the rubber meets the road.
a rubber check
(American humorous) a cheque (= a piece of paper from someone's bank that they sign and use for money) that is not worth anything because the person does not have enough money in the bank The woman was accused of writing more than $100,000 in rubber checks to pay for expensive jewelry.
rubber-stamp something
if someone rubber-stamps a decision or a plan, they give it official approval, often without thinking about it enough
Usage notes: If someone official has examined a document, they often put a special mark on it using a rubber stamp (= a small printing device made of rubber).
School governors will not simply rubber-stamp what teachers have already decided. The court was asked to rubber-stamp the Department's decision to free the men. burn rubber
Drive very fast, as in We'll have to burn rubber to get there in time. In this bit of automotive jargon, the rubber refers to tires that heat up when they rotate suddenly at great speed. [Slang; mid-1900s]
rubber check
A check drawn on an account without the funds to pay it, as in He's been handing out rubber checks right and left, but the police have caught up with him . The rubber alludes to the fact that, like rubber, the check "bounces," in this case back from the bank. [Slang; c. 1920]
rubber stamp
A person or organization that automatically approves or endorses a policy without assessing its merit; also, such an approval or endorsement. For example, The nominating committee is merely a rubber stamp; they approve anyone the chairman names , or The dean gave his rubber stamp to the recommendations of the tenure committee. This metaphoric term alludes to the rubber printing device used to imprint the same words over and over. [Early 1900s]
burn rubber
tv. to run a car engine so fast that one spins the tires so that rubber is left on the street. (see also
lay (some) rubber.)
When George was at the age when the greatest thrill was burning rubber, he began to shave once a week. lay (some) rubber
tv. to spin one’s car tires when accelerating, leaving black marks on the street. (see also
burn rubber.)
At that age all they want to do is get in the car and lay some rubber. lay rubber
verbrubber
1. n. automobile tires; the rubber of automobile tires left on the street from spinning tires. The rubber on my car is practically ruined.
2. Go to rubber (check).
3. n. a condom. He always carries a rubber “just in case.”
rubber (check)
n. a check that bounces; a forged check. (see also
bounce.)
The bank says I wrote a rubber check, but I’m sure there was enough money on deposit. rubber
verbrubber sock
n. a timid person; a passive and compliant person. Come on! Stand up for your rights. Don’t be such a rubber sock!
lay rubber
Slang To accelerate a motor vehicle suddenly from a stop so that the wheels spin rapidly.
where the rubber meets the road
Where the practical reality or crucial test is: "The sales effort is where the rubber meets the road in every competitive business" (Brian Tracy).
Common Names:
| Name | Gender | Pronounced | Usage |
|---|
| Tove | | - | Swedish, Norwegian, Danish |
| Nuan | | - | Chinese |
| Papa | | - | Polynesian Mythology |
| Uzi | | - | Hebrew |
| Eddie | | ED-ee | English |
| Mwenye | | - | Eastern African, Swahili |