tyre

have a spare tire

To have a layer of excess fat around one's midsection. He's really let himself go. He used to be so slim and athletic, but now he's got a spare tire! I had a bit of a spare tire after the holidays, so I decided to join a gym and get back in shape. I know I have a spare tire and really ought to lay off the junk food these days.

See also: have, spare, tire

kick the tires

To inspect or test something or someone to ensure that he, she, or it meets the required or expected standard of quality. Primarily heard in US, Canada. You should always kick the tires of anything you plan to buy from someone online, or else you might end up buying a piece of junk! The boss always assigns difficult projects as a way of kicking the tires of new employees. We should hire a few interns to kick the tires on this app before we release it to the public.

See also: kick, tire

kick tires

To examine or inspect a second-hand car or cars for possible purchase; to shop for used cars in general. I always loved going to used car lots with my dad while he went around kicking tires. Our old van finally broke down, so I'm heading out this weekend to kick some tires.

See also: kick, tire

pump (up) (one's) tires

1. Literally, to use a pump to add air to one's tires, as on a vehicle or bicycle. Aw man, my tire light's on again. Guess I'll have to stop and pump my tires. Make sure you pump up your tires before you go on any long bike rides!

2. informal To give one praise, compliments, or encouragement. Blake's been pretty down, so I hung out with him and tried to pump his tires a bit. I don't know if hearing what a great kid he is helped, but I tried. A: "Your presentation was just wonderful." B: "Thanks, but there's no need to pump up my tires. I tried my best, and that's all I can do."

See also: pump, tire

spare tire

1. A layer of excess fat around one's midsection. I think I need to lay off the junk food, because this spare tire of mine is getting a bit out of hand.

2. An unhelpful, unnecessary, unproductive, or unwanted person in a group. There are a few spare tires on this project who are really holding back our progress. Ever since John's girlfriend started hanging out with us, it's left me feeling like a spare tire.

See also: spare, tire

tire kicker

1. One who examines or inspects a second-hand car or cars, often without really intending to buy anything. Primarily heard in Australia. This guy isn't a serious buyer, he's just a tire kicker.

2. One who wastes another's time. We need serious candidates for this position, so make sure to eliminate any tire kickers.

See also: kicker, tire

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

spare tire

 

1. a thickness in the waist; a roll of fat around one's waist. I've got to get rid of this spare tire. The spare tire started when I was twenty-six.

2. an unneeded person; an unproductive person. Gary is a spare tire. Send him home. You spare tires over there! Get to work.

See also: spare, tire

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

spare tire

Fat around one's middle, as in He's determined to lose ten pounds and that spare tire he's acquired. This expression transfers the term for an extra tire carried in cars in case of a flat tire to excess fat around the waist. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

See also: spare, tire

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.

a spare tyre

If someone has a spare tyre, they have a large circle of fat around their waist. Note: `Tyre' is spelled `tire' in American English. He had long, wavy hair, a big diamond ring and a spare tyre around his middle.

See also: spare, tyre

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

kick the ˈtyres

(British English) (American English kick the ˈtires) (especially American English) test the quality of something; see if something is suitable for you: We now spend longer kicking the tyres before investing in new companies. ▶ ˈtyrekicker (British English) (American English ˈtirekicker) noun a possible customer who asks a lot of questions about a product but never buys anything: Your sales team can waste a huge amount of time on tyrekickers.

See also: kick, tyre

a ˌspare ˈtyre

(British English) (American English a ˌspare ˈtire) a roll of flesh around the waist: He went on a diet to try and lose his spare tyre.

See also: spare, tyre

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

spare tire

1. n. a thickness in the waist; a roll of fat around one’s waist. The spare tire started when I was twenty-six.

2. n. an unneeded person; an unproductive person. Gary is a spare tire. Send him home.

See also: spare, tire

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.