ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tie one on

idiom
Meaning

To drink alcohol excessively, to the point of being drunk


Origin

disputed origin

From earlier tie a bun on, where bun means “bender, drunken spree” and probably comes from bung. First attested in the 1940s.

Examples
SIMPLE

He decided to tie one on after a long week at work.

CONTEXTUAL

The team went to the local pub to tie one on after they finished the difficult project.

COMPLEX

Following the disappointment of the failed merger, the executives retreated to the lounge to tie one on and forget their professional woes.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  2. 02

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  3. 03

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  4. 04

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

  5. 05

    become one flesh

    To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.

  6. 06

    bite off more than one can chew

    To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.

  7. 07

    bite the big one

    To perform poorly; to fail.

  8. 08

    bite the hand that feeds one

    To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).

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