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On the fritz

prep_phrase

Definitions

Prep_phrase
  1. 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."

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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