Richard


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have had the Richard

To be damaged or harmed beyond repair. The "Richard" in the phrase is Richard III, which is rhyming slang for "bird" (meaning to cause a negative reaction in an audience). These books look like they've had the Richard—can I please throw them out?
See also: have, Richard

Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain

A mnemonic device for the names and sequence of the colors of the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. A: "Dang it, I always forget about indigo and violet when I try to think of the colors of the rainbow." B: "Just remember the phrase, Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain!"
See also: battle, gave, of, Richard, vain, York

Richard Roe

In legal proceedings, the name given to the second male whose identity is unknown or protected (as "John Doe" would be the name assigned to the first such male). I'm researching Richard Roe's case right now.
See also: Richard, roe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have had the Richard

be irreparably damaged. Australian
This expression comes from rhyming slang Richard the Third, meaning ‘bird’. In the theatre, get the bird means ‘be booed and hissed at’.
See also: have, Richard
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in classic literature ?
"Wilt thou not be my friend, Sir Sheriff?" said Sir Richard.
"Pay me three hundred pounds, Sir Richard," said he, "and I will give thee quittance of thy debt."
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Firmin Richard had hardly finished reading this letter when M.
"I am not in the mood to let myself be laughed at long," said Firmin Richard.
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Richard Turlington's voice was suddenly audible on deck exactly above them.
Hearing Launce's name on Richard's lips, she checked herself.
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This time he did not seek out Prince John, but asked audience with King Richard of the Lion Heart himself.
Then to him the Sheriff spoke at length concerning Robin Hood; how that for many months the outlaws had defied the King, and slain the King's deer; how Robin had gathered about him the best archers in all the countryside; and, finally, how the traitorous knight Sir Richard of the Lea had rescued the band when capture seemed certain, and refused to deliver them up to justice.
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Mistrusting that he only came to this conclusion because, having never had much chance of finding out for himself what he was fitted for and having never been guided to the discovery, he was taken by the newest idea and was glad to get rid of the trouble of consideration, I wondered whether the Latin verses often ended in this or whether Richard's was a solitary case.
Richard was a little grave after these interviews, but invariably told Ada and me that it was all right, and then began to talk about something else.
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"When this answer was returned, and that safety of life was promised, the common sort being now at the end of their peril the most drew back from Sir Richard and the Master Gunner, (it) being no hard matter to dissuade men from death to life.
"Sir Richard answered he might do with his body what he list, for he esteemed it not.
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In the meantime, Robin Hood had sent off several of his followers in different directions, as if to reconnoitre the enemy; and when he saw the company effectually broken up, he approached Richard, who was now completely armed, and, kneeling down on one knee, craved pardon of his Sovereign.
``For what, good yeoman?'' said Richard, somewhat impatiently.
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massa Richard, maybe a ten rod,” cried the black, bending under one of the horses, with the pretence of fastening a buckle, but in reality to conceal the grin that opened a mouth from ear to ear.
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