Alpha Charlie
A euphemistic way to refer to an "ass-chewing," a harsh or angry scolding. (When spelling something out with the NATO phonetic alphabet, the words "alpha" and "Charlie" are commonly used for the letters A and C.) The boss is totally going to give us an Alpha Charlie if he hears that we lost that big client. You dented my brand-new car while you were out joyriding with your friends? Oh, you're getting an Alpha Charlie when you get home, mister! I hear the professor gave you two an Alpha Charlie for talking during class.
Charlie Foxtrot
1. rude slang A clusterfuck, meaning a chaotic situation rife with problems. (When spelling something out with the NATO phonetic alphabet, the words "Charlie" and "Foxtrot" are commonly used for the letters C and F) Oh, the dinner party was a total Charlie Foxtrot—the roast was dry, the toilet overflowed, and everyone argued about politics. Boy, has getting to Florida been a Charlie Foxtrot! Our first flight was delayed and our second canceled entirely. You're lucky you weren't at the meeting because it was a wildly disorganized Charlie Foxtrot.
2. vulgar slang A clusterfuck, meaning a group sexual encounter. No, I've never taken part in a Charlie Foxtrot—have you?
Charlie Irvine
slang A police officer. Charlie Irvine is closing in on us—how are we going to avoid being arrested? Hear those sirens? We need to get out of here before Charlie Irvine catches us! Ugh, Charlie Irvine pulled me over for speeding, boys.
Charlie's dead
dated Used to covertly tell a woman that her slip, petticoat, or underwear are visible. Primarily heard in UK. I couldn't just let the poor woman walk around with her petticoat on full display, so I whispered, "I'm sorry, but Charlie's dead" as I walked by her. A: "OK, who's going to tell Aunt Marie that Charlie's dead?" B: "Again? I swear I see that woman's underwear more than her outerwear." Thank you so much for telling me Charlie's dead. I certainly don't want everyone here seeing my underwear!
cheap Charlie
A derogatory term for a miserly or parsimonious person. Used largely in countries of Southeast Asia, it likely originated in Vietnam during the Vietnam War to refer to American GIs (who called soldiers of the Viet Cong "Charlie") unwilling to spend extravagantly at bars, restaurants, or for prostitutes. Buy us a round of drinks, don't be a cheap Charlie!
get a charley horse
To get a painful muscle spasm that most commonly occurs in the legs. (The term "charley horse" is thought to have originated from baseball slang.) After spending all day on my feet, I got a charley horse in my leg that was so painful, I had to sit down for a while and rest. A: "I don't know that I've ever gotten a charley horse before." B: "Then you haven't had one, because, believe me, you'd know." I didn't sleep well at all last night. I got a charley horse so bad it made me leap out of bed in the middle of the night!
good-time Charlie
An affable, lively, and entertaining man who is often or always seeking pleasure or a good time. I was something of a good-time Charlie back in college, always ready to party. I had a lot of friends and a great time, but I didn't get very good grades as a result. I told you Rich was an uptight rule-follower! I don't know why you expected him to be a good-time Charlie. I know you're a good-time Charlie and everyone in school loves you, but when are you going to get serious about your future?
have a charley horse
To have a painful muscle spasm that most commonly occurs in the legs. (The term "charley horse" is thought to have originated from baseball slang.) I didn't sleep well last night at all. I had a charley horse that was so bad, it woke me up. A: "I don't know that I've ever had a charley horse before." B: "Then you haven't had one, because, believe me, you'd know." After spending all day on my feet, I had a charley horse in my leg that was so painful, I had to sit down for a while and rest.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.