- caught by the short and curlies
- Meaning
Held fast by an opponent, in a position one can't easily escape from.OriginThe allusion is to being held by the short and curly pubic hairs.
Meaning and origin of phrases. 2013.
Meaning and origin of phrases. 2013.
the short-and-curlies — n pl British the pubic hair(s). The expressions got/ grabbed/caught by the short and curl ies , meaning to be rendered helpless or vulnerable, are common vulgarisms … Contemporary slang
short — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of a small length or duration. 2) relatively small in extent. 3) (of a person) small in height. 4) (short of/on) not having enough of. 5) in insufficient supply. 6) (of a person) terse; uncivil. 7) … English terms dictionary
short — short1 W1S1 [ʃo:t US ʃo:rt] adj comparative shorter superlative shortest ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(time)¦ 2¦(length/distance)¦ 3¦(not tall)¦ 4¦(book/letter)¦ 5¦(not enough)¦ 6 be short on something 7¦(less than)¦ … Dictionary of contemporary English
short — adjective 1》 of a small length or duration. ↘(of a ball in sport) travelling only a small distance before bouncing. 2》 relatively small in extent. 3》 (of a person) small in height. 4》 (short of/on) not having enough of (something); lacking or … English new terms dictionary
shortish — short ► ADJECTIVE 1) of a small length or duration. 2) relatively small in extent. 3) (of a person) small in height. 4) (short of/on) not having enough of. 5) in insufficient supply. 6) (of a person) terse; uncivil. 7) … English terms dictionary
shortness — short ► ADJECTIVE 1) of a small length or duration. 2) relatively small in extent. 3) (of a person) small in height. 4) (short of/on) not having enough of. 5) in insufficient supply. 6) (of a person) terse; uncivil. 7) … English terms dictionary