After the match, the team went to wet the shamrock.
wet the shamrock
idiomTo go for an alcoholic drink, especially as part of a victory celebration or on Saint Patrick's Day.
Origin
disputed originFrom wet (“to celebrate by drinking alcohol”) + the + shamrock (“trefoil leaf of any small clover, especially Trifolium repens, or a clover-like plant, commonly used as a symbol of Ireland”), from the custom, also known as drowning the shamrock, of removing a shamrock worn on one’s clothing on Saint Patrick’s Day and placing it at the bottom of a glass which is then filled with an alcoholic beverage and consumed; according to some authorities the shamrock is then retrieved from the empty glass and thrown over the left shoulder.
When Ireland won the rugby game, everyone in the pub wanted to wet the shamrock until midnight.
Having secured the contract against all odds, the weary sales team retreated to the old pub on the corner to wet the shamrock and toast their unlikely triumph.
- 01
all wet
Utterly incorrect; erroneous; uninformed.
- 02
get one's feet wet
To begin gaining experience; to tentatively try something new.
- 03
get wet
Of a woman, to become sexually aroused, as indicated by the occurrence of the natural lubrication of the vagina.
- 04
ridden hard and put away wet
Mistreated; not properly cared for.
- 05
ride hard and put away wet
To mistreat (someone or something); to not properly care for.
- 06
soaking wet
Extremely wet.
- 07
throw a wet blanket on
To discredit; to spoil or disparage.
- 08
wet behind the ears
Inexperienced; just beginning; immature (especially in judgment).
Last updated April 17, 2026