plum

a plum in (one's) mouth

A manner of speech that is indicative of a high social class. Primarily heard in UK. Because he always sounds like he has a plum in his mouth, none of us working-class sods can stand to listen to him. Have you noticed that Sally's been speaking with a plum in her mouth ever since she started living in inner London? Dermot's a pretentious one, isn't he? Always sounds like he's got a plum in his mouth.

See also: mouth, plum

have a plum in (one's) mouth

To speak in a manner that is indicative of a high social class. Primarily heard in UK. Because he always sounds like he has a plum in his mouth, none of us working-class sods can stand to listen to him.

See also: have, mouth, plum

like a ripe plum

Easily; with very little resistance. After a few months of being cut off from supplies, the city will fall into our hands like a ripe plum.

See also: like, plum, ripe

plum

Especially desirable or appealing. My body just can't do all this manual labor anymore, so I've set my sights on one of those plum jobs in the office. I think you're really going to like the next house—it's in a plum location with great schools and playgrounds for the kids.

plum assignment

A task, post, or position that is especially enviable or desirable. Dennis is flying to Thailand to cover the tourism industry there, a plum assignment that everyone in the office desperately wanted. Since Sinead got that plum assignment at the bank, she has been earning more money than she knows what to do with!

See also: plum

plum job

A job or position that is especially enviable or desirable. I got a plum job managing a toy store, so I get to sit around playing with toys all day. Since Sarah got that plum job with the bank, she has been driving a sports car and is buying a second home! My body just can't do all this manual labor anymore, so I've set my sights on one of those plum jobs in the office.

See also: job, plum

plum role

1. A post or position that is especially enviable or desirable. Since Sinead got that plum role at the bank, she has been earning more money than she knows what to do with! The disgraced senator seems to have landed on his feet, securing a plum role at one of the multinational corporations he helped protect during his time in office.

2. A very prominent, desirable, or high-profile acting role. The famous actor started off in a number of commercials before finally landing a plum role as the lead in a crime drama that went on to become a huge hit. That such a plum role would go to a relatively unknown actor actually caused quite a stir at the time.

See also: plum, role

speak with a plum in (one's) mouth

To speak in a manner that is indicative of a high social class. Primarily heard in UK. He spoke with such a plum in his mouth that none of us working-class sods could stand to listen to him.

See also: mouth, plum, speak

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

a plum in your mouth

BRITISH

If someone speaks with a plum in their mouth, they speak with an accent that is typical of a high social class. While she does not talk with a plum in her mouth, she is very articulate. Note: This expression is used to show disapproval. Note: This is from the idea that the accent used by upper-class speakers of British English makes them sound as though they have a plum in their mouth.

See also: mouth, plum

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

have a plum in your mouth

have a rich-sounding voice or affected accent. British

See also: have, mouth, plum

like a ripe plum (or ripe plums)

used to convey that something can be obtained with little or no effort.

See also: like, plum, ripe

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

plum

n. a prize or reward; something that can be considered the spoils of a political office. My plum for getting elected was a big new office.

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