ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fetch and carry

idiom
Meaning

To serve obsequiously.


Origin

disputed origin

From fetch + and + carry, originally a reference to a trained dog fetching and conveying an object back to its master: see, for example, William Shakespeare’s play The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act III, scene i (spelling modernized): “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel, […] She can fetch and carry: why a horse can do no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only carry, therefore is she better than a jade.”

Examples
SIMPLE

He refuses to fetch and carry for his boss anymore.

CONTEXTUAL

She felt like a servant because her manager expected her to fetch and carry for him all day.

COMPLEX

The young intern grew tired of being expected to fetch and carry for the senior partners, so he began looking for a more professional role.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    can't carry a tune in a bucket

    Sings very badly.

  2. 02

    carry a torch

    To love or to be romantically infatuated with, especially when such feelings are not reciprocated.

  3. 03

    carry away

    To be so excited that one is no longer in control of one's actions or behavior.

  4. 04

    carry coals to Newcastle

    To do something that is unneeded or redundant.

  5. 05

    carry forward

    To transfer to a new page, column, ledger, or similar entity.

  6. 06

    carry off

    To act convincingly; to succeed at giving the impression of (e.g.) knowledge, confidence, or familiarity.

  7. 07

    carry on

    To continue or proceed as before.

  8. 08

    carry one's weight

    To contribute or produce one's fair share, as of work, money, etc.

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