a can of whoop-ass
rude slang An instance of physical violence (against someone). Usually used in a jocular or pseudo-serious threat. If that punk doesn't shut up soon, I'm gonna have to go over there and give him a can whoop-ass! Don't make me open a can of whoop ass on y'all. The captain of the football team said he'd give me a can of whoop-ass if he caught me flirting with his girlfriend again.
a whoop and a holler
1. A period or instance of loud, wild shouting. The entire bar burst out in a whoop and a holler when their team won the Super Bowl. The kids ran off with a whoop and a holler. Are you guys OK in here? I heard a whoop and a holler.
2. A particularly fun, wild time. The bar isn't the prettiest place in town, but it's always good for a whoop and a holler. You spend every cent you earn on a whoop and a holler, when you should be putting some of it away into your savings. I'm so exhausted—we really had a whoop and a holler on our beach vacation.
3. An especially short distance. So, I think you're all set to start working. If you need anything, I'm only a whoop and a holler away! Thankfully, my apartment was a whoop and a holler from the college, so I didn't need a car to get to classes each day. Man, I miss the days when we all lived in the old neighborhood and you were just a whoop and a holler away.
4. A small or trivial amount. Usually used after "worth." I've learned by now that his promises ain't worth a whoop and a holler. A: "Do you want to hold onto this book?" B: "Nah, that old thing isn't worth a whoop and a holler. You can toss it." I hate to tell you this, Grandma, but that antique vase isn't worth a whoop and a holler.
be not worth a whoop (and a holler)
informal To be useless or worthless. I've learned by now that his promises aren't worth a whoop and a holler. A: "Do you want to hold onto this book?" B: "Nah, that old thing isn't worth a whoop. You can toss it." This darn chair is not worth a whoop and a holler. One of the legs just broke clean off!
no big deal
1. Not inconvenient or difficult at all; not at all troublesome. A: "Thanks so much for watching the kids for me last night, there was an emergency at work." B: "No big deal, man. I'm happy to help out." It's no big deal if you want me to drive you to the airport tomorrow.
2. Of no great or particular importance or consequence. A: "I heard your team won last night—congrats!" B: "It's no big deal, we were against a pretty weak team. But thank you all the same!" A: "It was just a little pot—it's no big deal!" B: "No big deal? Tom, you could get kicked out of school for this!"
no big whoop
(Something) not inconvenient or difficult at all; not at all troublesome. John: "Thanks so much for watching the kids for me last night. There was an emergency in work." Dave: "No big whoop, man. I'm happy to help out." Seriously, it's no big whoop if you want me to drive you to the airport tomorrow.
not worth a whoop (and a holler)
informal Useless or worthless. I've learned by now that his promises ain't worth a whoop and a holler. A: "Do you want to hold onto this book?" B: "Nah, that old thing isn't worth a whoop. You can toss it."
whoop it up
1. To celebrate or cavort in a noisy way. The team really whooped it up in the locker room after their big win. People at my neighbors' party were whooping it up till 3 AM last night, so I didn't get much sleep.
2. To generate enthusiasm or excitement among a group of people, typically by displaying such enthusiasm and excitement. If you're a speaker or entertainer, you know the value of having someone who can whoop it up and warm up the crowd.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
whoop it up
1. Also, make whoopee. Celebrate noisily, as in After exams they decided to whoop it up at their apartment, or Down in the basement the residents were making whoopee. The variant may be dying out. [Slang; late 1800s]
2. Arouse enthusiasm, especially politically, as in The volunteers' job is to whoop it up for the candidate. [Slang; late 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.