spike



spike somebody's guns

to spoil someone's plans
Usage notes: In the past, soldiers put spikes (= thin, pointed pieces of metal) into their enemies' guns in order to stop them working.
The African runner spiked her guns, overtaking her in the final minute.
See also: gun, spike

spike

1. n. a hypodermic needle; a hypodermic syringe and needle; a medicine dropper and a needle. (Drugs.) The addict caught some strange disease from a dirty spike.
2. tv. to add ether or alcohol to beer, originally by injecting it through the cork with a hypodermic needle; to add alcohol to a nonalcoholic drink. (see also spiked.) He spiked the beer with ether, which is a dangerous thing to do.
3. tv. to puncture an idea. I explained the plan, but the boss spiked it immediately.

spiked

1. mod. having to do with a drink with alcohol added; having to do with a punch with an alcoholic content. Is the punch spiked? I want some without.
2. mod. alcohol or drug intoxicated. I knew that Mrs. Wilmington-Thorpe was spiked when she belched like a real country thunder-boomer.
3. mod. having to do with hair that stands up straight. His spiked hair wouldn’t look so bad if it wasn’t orange.
See also: spike

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Geoffrey['dʒefri]
MitchMICHEnglish
DubhÁN-Irish
KodeyKO-deeEnglish (Rare)
Siegward-German
ThorstenTAWR-sten (German)Swedish, Danish, German