uncle (redirected from cried uncle)

an Uncle Tom

a black person who is too eager to please white people. She was seen by other blacks in the neighborhood as an Uncle Tom for not complaining about police harassment.

See also: tom

Bob's your uncle! (British & Australian, informal)

something that you say after you have explained how to do something, to emphasize that it will be simple and successful. You simply put on the stain remover, leave it for an hour and Bob's your uncle, the stain's gone.

I'll be a monkey's uncle! (old-fashioned)

something that you say when you are very surprised. Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. I never thought Bill would remarry.

See also: I'll

say uncle (American, informal)

to admit that you have been defeated. I'm determined to show them I can be a star. I'm not going to say uncle.

See also: say

Uncle Sam

the government or the country of the United States. These smaller countries resent being so dependent on Uncle Sam for protection.