pox

(a) pox on (someone or something)

dated May someone or something be cursed! A pox on these fools that would stand in my way! Ugh, I've been filling in the wrong form—pox on these confusing tax laws! How dare you betray me like this? A pox on you, Lord Reginald!

See also: on, pox

(all) done up like a pox doctor's clerk

Dressed in a showy, flashy, or excessively fancy manner; overdressed. (The meaning of "pox doctor" in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. He showed up to the interview done up like a pox doctor's clerk. You could tell he was eager to make a good impression—maybe a bit too eager. Why are you all done up like a pox doctor's clerk? We're only going to the movies. I'm all done up like a pox doctor's clerk because the CEO was supposed to visit our office today. But his plans changed, and now I just look like a fool.

See also: clerk, done, like, pox, up

(all) dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk

Dressed in a showy, flashy, or excessively fancy manner; overdressed. Said especially of a man. (The meaning of "pox doctor" in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. He showed up to the interview dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk. You could tell he was eager to make a good impression—maybe a bit too eager. Why are you all dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk? We're only going to the movies. I'm all dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk because the CEO was supposed to visit our office today. But his plans changed, and now I just look like a fool.

See also: clerk, dress, like, pox, up

a pox on both your/their houses

Said as an exclamation of exasperation with, disgust for, or rejection of both of two opposing people or groups. A misquotation of the line "a plague on both your houses" from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; used especially in reference to politics. Honestly, I look at the candidates vying for election, both of whom I know will usher in the same status quo as we've had for decades, and I just feel like saying, "A pox on both your houses!" Look, I don't favor one side over the other in this debacle—a pox on both their houses, as far as I'm concerned, because they're both equally responsible. I think that, deep down, they're both sleazy con men, so I'm not supporting either of them. A pox on both their houses!

See also: both, house, on, pox

pox doctor's clerk

Someone who is overdressed or wearing a showy, flashy outfit. (The meaning of "pox doctor" in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Why are you all done up like a pox doctor's clerk? We're only going to the movies. Now that he's making big money, he always goes around looking like a pox doctor's clerk.

See also: clerk, pox

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

pox on someone or something

Fig. A curse on someone or something! (Old. Now usually jocular.) A pox on you, you creep! I've been trying to make this computer work all day. A pox on it!

See also: on, pox

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.