play Old Gooseberry en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
- (UK, archaic, idiomatic) To suddenly put a stop to a disturbance by force or threats.
-
(UK, archaic, idiomatic) To play the devil; to make mischief.
I'll play old Gooseberry with the office, and make you glad to buy me out at a good high figure, if you try any of your tricks with me.
1843–44, Charles Dickens, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| playing Old Gooseberry | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| played Old Gooseberry | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| played Old Gooseberry | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| plays Old Gooseberry | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| play up Old Gooseberry | alternative | lexicographic |
Synonyms
play Old Harry (make mischief)