gas guzzler

gas guzzler

A vehicle that consumes more than the average amount of gasoline during normal usage. Every time the price of oil rises, people trade in their gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars. I can't drive that humongous gas guzzler! Have you seen my car? It's a sporty little hatchback! I had to get rid of my truck. Not only was it a gas guzzler, but people were always asking me to help them move stuff!

See also: gas, guzzler

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

gas-guzzler

n. a large automobile that uses much gasoline. The old gas-guzzlers were certainly comfortable.

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

gas guzzler

A vehicle that uses fuel inefficiently. The term was popularized in 1978, when Congress instituted “gas guzzler provisions” in the Energy Tax Act enacted during that year. Accordingly, the purchase of such vehicles was taxed in order to discourage their use and decrease fuel consumption. In succeeding decades, the term was applied to any large car, such as an SUV, regardless of whether it was subject to the tax. For example, “With the price of gas going up and up, I’m going to trade in my gas guzzler for a hybrid.”

See also: gas, guzzler

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer