Skip to main content

pissing down a barrel

This phrase has absolutely nothing to do with getting drunk.

More accurately, 'pissing down the barrel', a phrase used by the British Army of the Napoleonic Era. Referring to the battlefield expedient of urinating down the barrel of a musket to clear black powder residue, when you didn't have the time or opportunity to clean it properly with clean water. The phrase became a way of referring to any action taken as an improvised expedient; then becoming a synonym for emergency or last-chance measures; and finally used to refer to any action that seems hopeless or with little chance of success.
"Dig in and hold them as long as you can."
"We may as well be pissing down a barrel."

"The approach will not be easy. You are required to manoeuvre straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station. Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction. The shaft is ray-shielded, so you'll have to use proton torpedoes."
"That's impossible, even for a computer. It's like trying to piss down a barrel!"
by Ethdhelwen January 1, 2017
mugGet the pissing down a barrel mug.

three dicks in a barrel

The three amigos, the three musketeers, three peas in a pod, huey, dewey and louie, the three stooges.
Three really good friends.
Oskar: come on we're like three dicks in a barrel
by MustachioManio October 26, 2017
mugGet the three dicks in a barrel mug.
Related Words

Cannon County Wheel Barrel

The act of giving oral sex to a family member during the human wheel barrel race at annual family reunion.
Joe was giving oral sex to his father as they crossed the finish line at the annual family reunion human Cannon County wheel barrel race
by Bustanutonface69 November 28, 2017
mugGet the Cannon County Wheel Barrel mug.

Cheesecake In a Barrel

A slang term saying "kill yourself", giving you a direct chance to tell your parents "cheesecake in a barrel" or anyone else without them knowing the true meaning.
by Savian Drennix November 29, 2017
mugGet the Cheesecake In a Barrel mug.

The Cracker Barrel

Giving/recieving a blowjob at a Cracker Barrel parking lot.
Michael : Hey, what did you and your girlfriend do during your anniversary?

Aiden: My girl gave me the Cracker Barrel

Michael: That's it?

Aiden: Nah we also did the Batman
by Minekwaft December 5, 2019
mugGet the The Cracker Barrel mug.

Crossed the barrel

Having had a shootout with someone, usually resulting in a death. (Barrel means the barrel of a gun)

Phrase comes from 1980's prison and gang culture in the United States.
Banky has served 33 years in prison after he crossed the barrel with an enemy gangster in the 1980's. Now after being free, thousands of viewers enjoy hearing his exciting story on YouTube.
by Anynms June 29, 2020
mugGet the Crossed the barrel mug.

keep the barrel side out

To play down an argument within your peer group and instead focus on the enemy, dealing with the problem later.
“Let’s keep the barrel side out, fight the enemy; not each other.”
by IUseThe725 November 13, 2020
mugGet the keep the barrel side out mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email