get skunked

slang

1. To be sprayed with the foul-smelling defensive fluid of a skunk. A: "Phew, what is that awful smell?" B: "I think the dog got skunked!" Uh, that's no cat. We need to get out of here before we get skunked! I really started to hate my strong sense of smell when the cat got skunked—it was just brutal.

2. To get very drunk. We didn't notice that Jackson had left the party—we'd all gotten too skunked. My dad used to spend nearly every night getting skunked at the local bar when we were kids, so I swore I wouldn't touch alcohol when I grew up. Ugh, my head is pounding. I need to remember this feeling the next time I think it's a good idea to get skunked.

3. Of beer, to develop a distinctive musty taste or smell as a result of exposure to ultraviolet light. Make sure you keep those bottles of beer in a dark place. You don't want them to get skunked! A: "Does this beer taste like it's gone off?" B: "It probably got a little skunked, but it won't hurt you." Ugh, gross—this beer's gotten skunked! I need to dump this out!