strapped

slang To begin eating; to have a meal. I can't wait to get to grandma's and strap on the old feed bag. She always cooks the tastiest food! What do you say we strap on the feed bag before we head out?

vulgar slang A derogatory exhortation to start acting in a more masculine manner; that is, to be more direct, aggressive, courageous, self-confident, and other such characteristics that are stereotypically considered to be masculine attributes. ("Pair" here refers to testicles, but the phrase can be said of or by both men and women.) You're never going to get the boss's respect if you keep kowtowing to him like that. You need to strap on a pair and show him that you deserve to be taken seriously! Janet, I know you're nervous about asking Tom out on a date, but just strap on a pair and give it a shot!

Without any or very much money at the moment; broke, especially temporarily. Would you mind covering the cost of dinner? I'm a little strapped for cash at the moment. My brother always complains that he's strapped for cash, but it's no surprise when he won't go find a job!

needing something, usually money. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) I am really strapped for cash. Can you lend me some? Ted is strapped for money and cannot pay his bills.

In need of, as in We're strapped for cash this week. Originating in the mid-1800s as simply strapped, meaning "in need of money," the term acquired for in the first half of the 1900s. Now the term is also used for other needs, as in I can't give you any more firewood; I'm strapped for it myself.