# bottle and stopper

idiom · Slang

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bottle-and-stopper
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

copper

## Examples

- The old pipes are made of bottle and stopper.
- The thief was caught trying to steal bottle and stopper from the construction site to sell for cash.
- The architect insisted on using bottle and stopper for the roof because the metal develops a beautiful green color over many years.

## Origin

Policeman. There are a possible pair of inferences: to bottle meaning to enclose and a stopper meaning one who holds another back from a course of action.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.