# splice the mainbrace

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/splice-the-mainbrace
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To have an alcoholic drink.

## Examples

- It is time to splice the mainbrace after a long week.
- The crew decided to splice the mainbrace to celebrate finishing the difficult project on time.
- Following the successful conclusion of the voyage, the captain invited the officers to splice the mainbrace in the wardroom.

## Origin

From splice + mainbrace. Splicing the mainbrace, a heavy piece of running rigging that supported the main yard, was a skilful and arduous task, so that the men responsible would be rewarded with an extra tot of rum. Nowadays, a ceremonial order to pour a drink for a ship's company.

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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.