What does "on the fritz" mean?

Of an electrical or mechanical appliances, out of order; malfunctioning; broken.

What is a synonym for "on the fritz"?

Common synonyms include: amiss, askew, awry, blink, broken, cockeyed.

On the fritz

prep_phrase

prep_phrase ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Prep_phrase

1
Of an electrical or mechanical appliances, out of order; malfunctioning; broken. Northern-US, idiomatic
"I'd record it, but my tape deck is on the fritz again."

Synonyms

All synonyms

amiss askew awry blink broken cockeyed

Example

More examples

"I'd record it, but my tape deck is on the fritz again."

Etymology

Unknown. Attested from 1902, originally meaning “in a bad way” or “in bad condition”, malfunctioning of an appliance. Perhaps from German name Fritz, or onomatopoeic (here, imitating the sound of electric sparks jumping).

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