bail up



bail up

1. To hold a cow within an enclosure of a stable (called a bail or bale) for the purposes of milking; or, of a cow, to be held in a bail for such a purpose. Primarily heard in Australia. Go bail up those cows before you have your breakfast. Make sure them cows are bailed up, we don't want them getting loose!
2. To detain someone for the purposes of a robbery. Primarily heard in Australia. I was bailed up last night on my way home and the guy took my wallet. Bail up these two while I check out the rest of the house.
3. To detain someone, as during an unsolicited conversation. Primarily heard in Australia. I would have been home 40 minutes ago, but I was bailed up by John talking some nonsense about the government again.
See also: bail, up

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Johns[dʒɔnz]
LiesLEESGerman, Dutch
Pavao-Croatian
Daniel['dænjəl]
Kaila-Yiddish
Ratko-Croatian, Serbian