turps

turps
: on the turps Drinking heavily. 'Turps' is an abbreviation of 'turpentine' and the phrase alludes to the use of spirits such as turps and methylated spirits ('metho') by down-and-out alcoholics. In the earliest uses of the phrase the alcohol referred to is a spirit such as gin or rum, but more recently it has referred to any kind of alcoholic drink, especially beer.

Australian idioms. 2014.

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  • Turps — may refer to several things, primarily paint solvents:* Turpentine, or wood turpentine, the organic solvent derived from tree resin; it is a traditional solvent used by painters * Turps also refers to white spirit, which is a petroleum based… …   Wikipedia

  • turps — [tʉrps] n. 〚/span> TURP(ENTINE) + s〛 Informal TURPENTINE * * * turps (tûrps) pl.n. Informal (used with a sing. verb) Turpentine.   [Shortening and alteration …   Universalium

  • turps — [tə:ps US tə:rps] n [U] BrE informal turpentine …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • turps — [ tɜrps ] noun uncount BRITISH INFORMAL TURPENTINE …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • turps — ► NOUN informal ▪ turpentine …   English terms dictionary

  • turps — [tʉrps] n. [< TURP(ENTINE) + s] Informal TURPENTINE …   English World dictionary

  • turps — noun a) Turpentine or turpentine substitute. Generally, big nights on the turps take place in The Rocks and around Kings Cross where youll hear and smell the action pretty quickly. b) Any alcoholic drink. Crazy sessions on the turps were all part …   Wiktionary

  • turps — /tɜps/ (say terps) Colloquial –noun 1. → turpentine (def. 4). –phrase 2. bash the turps, to drink alcoholic liquor to excess. 3. on the turps, drinking intoxicating liquor excessively. {turp(entine) + s3} …  

  • turps — alcohol from turpentine. Probably Australian slang. After a couple of nights on the turps, Ivan s ability to concentrate on his work dwindled …   Dictionary of american slang

  • turps — alcohol from turpentine. Probably Australian slang. After a couple of nights on the turps, Ivan s ability to concentrate on his work dwindled …   Dictionary of american slang

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