jolly


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Related to jolly: Jolly Jumper

(jolly) good show

A phrase of approval said to someone after they have done something. Primarily heard in UK. Jolly good show, Reginald! You did a fine job on the piano. The tailoring on this dress is just divine—jolly good show. Good show, fellas! You certainly earned that championship.
See also: good, show

(one's) jollies

1. slang One's amusement, enjoyment, or pleasure. Often used in reference to some degree of perverse satisfaction. Used especially in the phrase "get one's jollies." The restless teenagers got their jollies by throwing rocks at passing cars. My job is incredibly dull, so I get my jollies by messing with customers in really subtle ways. I know you want to give me my 13 birthday punches, so go ahead, get your jollies.
2. slang A period of time that one devotes to pleasure, relaxation, or excitement, especially while traveling; one's vacation or holiday. Primarily heard in UK. A: "So, where are you going for your jollies this year?" B: "We were thinking of going to the States, but it's just too much money. We'll probably just go to Spain again." We spent nearly 30 hours stuck in the airport waiting for our connecting flight. What a crappy way to start our jollies. I got my jollies at the beach this year. In the wintertime, there's nothing better than getting away to the sun and sand.
See also: jolly

be jolly hockey sticks

To act or speak in an enthusiastic but disingenuous or irritating way, especially when one is of a high social class. Lady Cartwright is always jolly hockey sticks, so I don't trust a word she says. I don't have the patience to be around people who are jolly hockey sticks all the time. Of course the people here are skeptical of you—you're new in town, and you're jolly hockey sticks most of the time.
See also: hockey, jolly, stick

get (one's) jollies

To seek out, indulge in, or enjoy something fun or pleasurable. The term usually hints at a certain degree of perverse satisfaction. The restless teenagers got their jollies by throwing rocks at passing cars. My job is incredibly dull, so I get my jollies by messing with customers in really subtle ways. I know you want to give me my 13 birthday punches, so go ahead, get your jollies.
See also: get, jolly

jolly (one) along

To encourage one (to do something), especially in a positive, cheerful manner. I was getting disheartened writing my first novel, but my husband jollied me along to finish it.
See also: jolly

jolly (someone) into (doing) (something)

To persuade or encourage someone to do something, especially in a positive, cheerful manner. I was getting disheartened writing my first novel, but my husband jollied me into finishing it. I'd been feeling pretty low after my breakup with Tina, so I'm glad my friends jollied me into a weekend away in Los Vegas.
See also: jolly

jolly (someone) up

To make (someone) happier or more cheerful; to cheer (someone) up. My mom tried jollying us up by taking us out for pizza after our team lost the championship. After his divorce, we all thought Ted could do with some jollying up.
See also: jolly, up

jolly good

Excellent; well done; I approve. Sometimes hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. Primarily heard in UK. A: "I'll be moving to London in the autumn to start my university course." B: "Jolly good! You're parents would be so proud." A: "I'm going to reboot the system now so it can install the updates." B: "Jolly good. Let's go get some lunch while we wait for it to come back online." We all had a jolly good time picking blackberries at her grandfather's estate.
See also: good, jolly

jolly well

Used before a verb to emphasize that the speaker is upset, angry, or irritated. Primarily heard in UK. You jolly well knew that I have trouble trusting people, and yet you deliberately deceived me! If that's your attitude, then you can jolly well look for another job.
See also: jolly, well
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

jolly ˈgood!

(old-fashioned, British English, spoken) used to show that you approve of something that somebody has just said: So you and Alan are going away for the weekend, are you? Jolly good.
See also: jolly

ˈjolly well

(old-fashioned, British English) used to emphasize a statement when you are annoyed about something: If you don’t come now, you can jolly well walk home!
See also: jolly, well
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

jollies

n. a charge or thrill; a sexual thrill; kick. He got his jollies from skin flicks.
See also: jolly

jolly

mod. alcohol intoxicated; tipsy. Kelly was a little too jolly, and her sister told her to slow down.

jolly-well

mod. certainly. You jolly-well better be there on time.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Gittins urged State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) across the country to partner with ULS to enhance literacy in public schools through the Jolly monitor app.
Since the arrest, she says she has been fed half truths and lies by Jolly. Although he was remanded in custody after his arrest, she said she was left feeling confused and angry about being left in a vulnerable position with a volatile and violent man.
Jolly took the 26-year-old to the ground in Blenheim Road, sat on top of her and forced his hands down her jeans and underwear.
In a statement, the Scottish Prison Service said: "Ian Alexander Jolly, a prisoner at HMP edinburgh, has died.
cheers There are 80 gins and dozens of craft beers on offer at the Jolly Gin And Craft
But Bees weren't to be denied a second National Two South win of the season and two further Jolly penalties pegged them back, before Venus' fine solo try capped a gritty victory.
The memorial resembles two giant feet associated with the rescue mascot, the Jolly Green Giant.
By that time, The Jolly General Merchandise already transitioned to Fly Ace Corp.
ISLAMABAD -- A transgender worker of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jolly, has demanded Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue directions to the polling staff and security personnel deployed at polling stations on July 25, that the transgenders must be facilitated and motivated to freely cast their votes.
Talking to APP, Jolly said that transgenders in Pakistan have seen positive changes as they have been given power to participate in the political decision-making process through elections.
Independent British publisher Jolly Learning, which provides a synthetic phonics method for teaching letter sounds, has signed a 10-year licensing agreement with FLTRP (Foreign Language Teaching & Research Press), a Chinese foreign language publisher.
14 March 2018 - New York, US-based e-commerce holding company Tenth Avenue Commerce (TAC) has acquired a majority interest in Ohio, US-based pet toy manufacturer Horsemen's Pride's business, including Jolly Pets, to expand offerings in pet toy industry, the company said.
Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly OBE treated friend and foe alike in his medical station in an old refrigeration compartment, which was famed as "the red and green life machine".
Christmas jumper day THIS year, wear your Christmas jumpers proudly and join in with the St David's Hospice's 'Jolly Jumpers' Day.
Former Nuns' scrum-half Jack Jolly was the main thorn in his old club's side, capping a man-of-thematch performance with a try and 21 points from the tee.