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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

open a can of whoop ass en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

From English whoop (variant of whip) + ass.

Meanings

  1. (US, idiomatic, slang, vulgar) A good-humored threat of physical harm.
    • I'm gonna open up a can of whoop-ass on ya.
    • Chan stars in his first all-American production as chan as Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee, a noble, innocent and caring police officer who can really bust open a can of whoop-ass when given the chance. 1998, Robert Fletcher, “No rush to see new Chan”, in University Wire:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
opens a can of whoop ass Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
opening a can of whoop ass Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
open up a can of whoop-ass alternative lexicographic
open up a can of whoop ass alternative lexicographic
open a can of whup ass alternative lexicographic
opened a can of whoop ass Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
opened a can of whoop ass Tense=Past lexicographic
open a can of whoop-ass alternative lexicographic

Synonyms

open up a can of kick-ass · bust open a can of kick-ass · break out a can of kick-ass · break out a can of whoop-ass · bust open a can of whoop-ass · break out a can of whoop ass · open a can of kick-ass · bust open a can of whoop ass