greasy spoon
A small restaurant or diner, especially one that serves fried foods. Every time I go on a road trip, I make it a point to stop at a greasy spoon for at least one of my meals. I love this greasy spoon. The place may not look like much from the outside, but they serve some of the tastiest food in the whole darn state. Can't we go someplace nicer than this greasy spoon for a change?
the greasy pole
The route to advancement in one's place of employment or education, likened to a greased pole that is slippery and difficult to climb. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I know it's been a hard month, but it's just another upward movement on the greasy pole.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
greasy spoon
Fig. a cheap diner, where the silverware might not be too clean. The corner greasy spoon is always busy at lunchtime.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
greasy spoon
A cheap restaurant, especially one serving short-order fried foods. For example, College students short of cash tend to eat a lot in that greasy spoon. This expression also implies that the restaurant is not very clean. [c. 1900]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
the greasy pole
BRITISHThe greasy pole is used to talk about someone's attempts to reach a more successful position in their career. In 1982 he joined the ruling party, since when he has climbed its greasy pole, becoming finance minister in 1991. Michael's plan was to impress the boss and start up the greasy pole. Note: This expression is often used disapprovingly, especially to suggest that success at work is not of great value. Note: In the past, climbing up or along a greasy pole in order to get a prize at the end of it was a popular fairground competition.
a greasy spoon
INFORMALA greasy spoon is a small, cheap, unattractive café that serves mostly fried food. We ate at a greasy spoon called the Step Inn Cafe.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
the greasy pole
used to refer to the difficult route to the top of someone's profession. The original literal greasy pole was a pole covered with an oily substance to make it more difficult to climb or walk along, used especially as a form of entertainment.
greasy spoon
a cheap, run-down restaurant or cafe serving fried foods. 1968 Len Deighton Only When I Larf Bob said he was hungry and wanted to pull up at every greasy spoon we passed.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
greasy spoon
n. an untidy and unappetizing diner or restaurant. Let’s eat at the greasy spoon over on Maple. The food is gross, but the people-watching is good.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
greasy spoon
A cheap restaurant, especially one serving greasy fried foods. This slangy expression, which dates from the early 1900s, also implies that the restaurant is not particularly clean. Len Deighton used it in Only When I Larf (1968), “Bob said he was hungry and wanted to pull up at every greasy spoon we passed.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer