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tan

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catch a tan

To tan, as from the sun or in a tanning bed. The water's too cold for my liking, so I'll just catch a tan on the beach instead.

See also: catch, tan

farmer's tan

A tan line or sunburn on the neck and lower arms that results from wearing a T-shirt during prolonged sun exposure and that is clearly demarcated from the pale skin of the chest and upper arms that remained covered. It was so warm that I only wore a T-shirt on the four-hour hike, but I had a pretty gnarly farmer's tan by the end of the day.

See also: tan

tan someone's hide

to spank someone. Billy's mother said she'd tan Billy's hide if he ever did that again. "I'll tan your hide if you're late!" said Tom's father.

See also: hide, tan

tan somebody's hide

  (old-fashioned)

to hit someone, usually a child, many times as a punishment I'll tan that boy's hide if he touches my toolbox again.

See also: hide, tan

tan someone's hide

Also, have someone's hide. Spank or beat someone, as in Dad said he'd tan Billy's hide if he caught him smoking, or I'll have your hide if you take something without paying for it. This term uses hide in the sense of "skin." The allusion in the first expression is to a spanking that will change one's skin just as chemicals tan animal hide (convert it into leather). [Second half of 1600s]

See also: hide, tan

tanned

mod. alcohol intoxicated. (Preserved like a tanned hide of an animal.) Tom is too tanned to drive. Get him out of that car.

See also: tan