get off (one's) duff

get off (one's) duff

slang To start doing something, especially after a period of unproductivity or laziness. "Duff" in this usage refers to the buttocks. Grandma will be here in 30 minutes, so get off your duff and move this junk out of the living room! Ted needs to get off his duff for a change and make an effort around here. Can one of you get off your duff and hold the door for me? Geez!
See also: duff, get, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get off one's duff

Get moving, become active. This slangy idiom uses duff in the sense of buttocks, a usage dating from about 1840 and at that time considered impolite. It no longer is, at least not in America, and if anything this cliché is a euphemism for still ruder synonyms, such as get off one’s butt or get off one’s ass.
See also: duff, get, off
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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