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off the wagon

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*off the wagon

 

1. Fig. drinking liquor after a period of abstinence. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~; get ~.) Poor John fell off the wagon again. Drunk as a skunk. He was off the wagon for a year the last time before he sobered up.

2. Fig. back on drugs after a period of abstinence. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~; get ~.) Wilbur is off the wagon and shooting up again. He can't be off the wagon, because he has never stopped using, even for a day.

See also: off, wagon

off the wagon

drinking alcohol again, after having stopped If she falls off the wagon again, she'll just have to pick herself up and try to stop drinking.

Usage notes: usually said about someone who has an alcohol problem

Opposite of: on the wagon

See also: off, wagon

off the wagon

1. mod. drinking liquor after a period of abstinence. Poor John fell off the wagon again. Drunk as a skunk.

2. mod. back on drugs after a period of abstinence. Harry the Horse is off the wagon and shooting up again.

See also: off, wagon

off the wagon

Slang

No longer abstaining from alcoholic beverages.

See also: off, wagon