ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paint the wagon

idiom
Meaning

To get things done.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

Business jargon, based on the title song of the 1951 Broadway musical Paint Your Wagon, I'm on my wayhttp://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/paintyourwagon/paintyourwagonimonmyway.htm: : Gotta dream boy : Gotta song : Paint your wagon : And come along

Examples
SIMPLE

We need to paint the wagon and finish this project today.

CONTEXTUAL

The deadline is tomorrow, so we really need to paint the wagon if we want to succeed.

COMPLEX

Despite the mounting pressure from the board of directors, the team managed to paint the wagon and deliver the final report well ahead of schedule.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    fall off the wagon

    To cease or fail at a regimen of self-improvement or reform; to lapse back into an old habit or addiction.

  2. 02

    fix someone's wagon

    To cause injury, distress, or inconvenience to someone, especially as punishment or as a comeuppance.

  3. 03

    hitch one's wagon to

    to rely on (someone or something) for success

  4. 04

    hitch one's wagon to a star

    To commit to an aspirational goal or course of action that will lead to fulfillment.

  5. 05

    know someone from a can of paint

    Synonym of know someone from Adam.

  6. 06

    paint a rosy picture

    To describe a situation or prospective set of events in an upbeat, optimistic manner.

  7. 07

    paint oneself into a corner

    To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.

  8. 08

    paint the town red

    To party or celebrate in a rowdy, wild manner, especially in a public place.

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