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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

on the blink en · ADP

Pronunciation

Etymology

Presumably from an appliance with poor electrical connection blinking from intermittent connection.

Meanings

  1. (Australia, UK, informal) Usually of a mechanical or electrical device, functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well.
    • I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink / I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink 1968, “I'm So Tired”, in John Lennon (lyrics), The Beatles, performed by the Beatles:
    • My toaster is on the blink, making either charcoal or cold bread.

Synonyms

on the fritz (malfunctioning)

Translations (9)

pl zepsuty (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · pl niedysponowany (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · de kaputt sein (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · de im Eimer sein (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · de am Ende sein (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · pt dar o berro (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · de hinüber sein (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · de im Arsch sein (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order) · pt ir-se (to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order)