# foxtrot oscar

idiom · CEFR C1 · Slang

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/foxtrot-oscar
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Meaning

A polite or coded way to tell someone to go away or leave immediately, often used to avoid using a common swear word.

## Examples

- When the annoying salesman knocked on my door for the third time, I just told him to foxtrot oscar.
- The lead singer grew tired of the paparazzi following him into the restaurant and loudly suggested they foxtrot oscar so he could eat in peace.
- While the diplomat maintained a veneer of professional courtesy, his sharp dismissal of the proposal was essentially a coded invitation for the lobbyists to foxtrot oscar.

## Origin

The phrase is a euphemism derived from the NATO phonetic alphabet, where the letters 'F' and 'O' are represented by 'Foxtrot' and 'Oscar'. These initials stand for the vulgar command 'fuck off'. It originated in British military and radio communication circles as a way to convey the insult without violating broadcasting standards or formal decorum. It gained wider public recognition in the UK during the 1980s, particularly through its use in popular television sitcoms like 'Made in Chelsea' and 'Only Fools and Horses'.

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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.