Idioms · 7 entries
A person or thing having good underlying qualities while appearing to be coarse and unpolished.
The United Kingdom.
USA, late 20th century. Previously referred to as ‘acquaintance rape’.
Britain, mid/late 20th century. The USA has a ‘fell off the back of a truck’ variant.
Britain, 19th century.
Britain, early 20th century.
Entry 1
Meaning A person or thing having good underlying qualities while appearing to be coarse and unpolished.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 2
Meaning The rape by a man of his partner on a date.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 3
Meaning A coy reference to an item that has been stolen.
Usage Britain.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Meaning To be in a partnership with, often for unscrupulous purposes.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Meaning A crime committed by or with the help of someone living or working in the place that it took place.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Meaning Someone who might claim to be of good behaviour but has in fact a sordid past.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 7
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for thief.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
Pronunciation