uncle (redirected from uncles)

Dutch uncle

a man who gives frank and direct advice to someone. (In the way an uncle might, but not a real relative.) I would not have to lecture you like a Dutch uncle if you were not so extravagant. He acts more like a Dutch uncle than a husband. He's forever telling her what to do in public.

See also: Dutch

everybody and his brother and everybody and his uncle

Fig. everybody; lots of people. The state fair was packed. Everybody and his brother was there. Everybody and his uncle was asking me where you was today.

See also: and, brother, everybody, his

holler uncle and cry uncle; say uncle

Fig. to admit defeat. Joe kept pounding on Jim, trying to get him to holler uncle. He twisted my arm until I cried uncle.

See also: holler

I'll be a monkey's uncle!

Fig. I am amazed! A: I just won $500,000 in the lottery! B: Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle!

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an Uncle Tom

a black person who is too eager to please white people

Usage notes: This phrase is from the book Uncle Tom's Cabin by H.B. Stowe, in which the main person in the story is a black slave. (= someone who is legally owned by another person)

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.

say uncle  (American informal)

to admit that you have been defeated

Usage notes: In children's fights, a child being held down had to say 'uncle' before being allowed to get up.

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.

See say uncle

See also: SAM