bachelor
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bachelor party
A party thrown by the male friends of a soon-to-be groom. Jonathan didn't want a crazy bachelor party, so he and his friends went out for a few quiet drinks. Dan's bachelor party lasted all night. I hope he is able to wake up in time for his wedding today! Mark knew that his bachelor party had gotten out of control when the police arrived.
confirmed bachelor
euphemism A homosexual man. Nellie, you do know that Jim is a confirmed bachelor, right? That's why he's not responding to your advances. A: "Anna, um, Ed's a confirmed bachelor." B: "Oh! So that's why he won't go on a date with me." I'm pretty sure people think I'm a confirmed bachelor at this point, but I'm actually straight—I'm just single because I never met the right woman.
son of a gun
1. A mean or unpleasant man. Julie's ex-husband was such a mean son of a gun, it's no wonder she divorced him.
2. An emphatic expression of affection for a man one considers daring, mischievous, or tough. That son of a gun really pulled through for us when we needed him!
3. An inanimate object that is problematic. My car broke down, and I can't figure out how to fix the son of a gun!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
son of a gun
and son of a bachelora worthless person. (A substitute for son of a bitch.) That tightfisted son of a gun won't buy me a beer. He can be a real son of a bachelor when he's in a bad mood.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
confirmed bachelor
a male homosexual. euphemisticson of a gun
a humorous or affectionate way of addressing or referring to someone. informalThe term arose with reference to the guns carried on board ships: it is said to have been originally applied to babies born at sea by women accompanying their husbands.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
son of a gun
1. n. a despicable person, usually a male. (Euphemistic for son of a bitch.) If that son of a gun thinks he can boss me around like that, he’s got another think coming.
2. n. old buddy. I went to school with this son of a gun! He’s my old buddy.
3. exclam. I am totally surprised!; I am shocked! (Usually Son of a gun!) The thing just blew up! Son of a gun!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
son of a gun
A rogue or scoundrel. Some etymologists believe that this term, which originated about 1700, once meant the illegitimate son of a soldier (gun). Others, however, believe it simply was a euphemism for son of a bitch that appealed because of its rhyme. Still another theory, recorded in Smyth’s Sailor’s Word-Book (1867), is that it was originally applied to boys who were born at sea, in the days when women were permitted to accompany their sailor husbands, and alluded to a child being “cradled under the breast of a gun.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer