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timber

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shiver me timbers

An exclamation of surprise. The phrase originated with sailors (as "shiver one's timbers" meant to destroy one's ship) and is usually used today in cartoonish portrayals of pirates. Well, shiver me timbers—I didn't think you were getting into town until tomorrow! You got cast as a pirate in the play? I bet you have one line—"Shiver me timbers!"

See also: shiver, timber

take to the tall timber

To leave quickly and covertly. Primarily heard in US. I think Adam took to the tall timber—no one has seen or heard from him in weeks

See also: take, tall, timber

head for (the) tall timber

Rur. to run away and hide. When we heard Pa's angry bellow, we headed for the tall timber. The bank robbers headed for tall timber with their loot.

See also: head, tall, timber

tall timber(s)

some remote place in the country or the woods. Oh, Chuck lives out in the tall timbers somewhere. He only has a post office box number. You're not going to move me out into the tall timber somewhere!

See also: tall, timber

tall timbers

n. some remote well-forested place; the boondocks. Oh, Chuck lives out in the tall timbers somewhere. He only has a post office box number.

See also: tall, timber