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Bows Under
English expression meaning to have more work that you can possibly deal with. It originated with the Royal Navy and referred to those times when a ship was caught in a severe storm or hurricane. This would require the crew member to work continuously, often for extended periods with little rest, to ensure the safety of the ship. During this time the ship would have green seas coming over the bows so that it appeared as if the bows were under water. When telling of the experience once they were back on shore, the sailors would refer to the ship as being 'bows under' and gradually the expression became associated with the excessive workload incurred at the time as well, so that having an excessive workload requiring continuous application to clear became known as being 'bows under'.
The expression came to be used within the Royal Dockyards to denote times when excessive workloads were experienced. One notable occasion being 1982 when, in response to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, the Royal Dockyards fitted out ships taken up from trade for Naval service in less than six weeks, Commercial shipbuilders said that this would take more than six months for each vessel, but by carrying out the work in less than a quarter of the time quoted by commercial shipbuilders the Royal Dockyards were 'bows under'.
The expression came to be used within the Royal Dockyards to denote times when excessive workloads were experienced. One notable occasion being 1982 when, in response to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, the Royal Dockyards fitted out ships taken up from trade for Naval service in less than six weeks, Commercial shipbuilders said that this would take more than six months for each vessel, but by carrying out the work in less than a quarter of the time quoted by commercial shipbuilders the Royal Dockyards were 'bows under'.
Bows Under by AKACroatalin March 18, 2015
Related Words
unier • under the table • under • Underage Drinking • underage • under armour • under achiever • underailable • underbeard • UnderBelly
The Crab Under the Bridge
Verb: The act of performing a spit roast while a male takes the crab position beneath the female, with head placed between the penetrating male's legs while receiving a tit wank from the females low hanging breasts. This person may or may not lick the balls of the penetrating man.
Guy 1: "Yo CB3 was the Crab Under the Bridge and started tounging my balls."
Guy 2: "I'll have to try that sometime with Loz and Haz."
Guy 2: "I'll have to try that sometime with Loz and Haz."
The Crab Under the Bridge by Zeek-McBreadsticks November 7, 2014
Thunder From Down Under
Thunder From Down Under by Starchylde June 1, 2016
tight as a fishes ass under compression
He was as tight as a fishes ass under compression when it came time to getting any money out of him.....cunt.
tight as a fishes ass under compression by GS71 April 4, 2015
getting under my skin
getting under my skin by paulpaxman December 2, 2013
under the clock
Spending time in the Hennepin County jail in Minneapolis, MN. So named for the fact that the jail is located underneath the courthouse building which features a clock tower. The clock tower is also a well known Minneapolis landmark.
under the clock by revrock May 31, 2011
More from Urban Dictionary
Surf Dracula Syndrome
A phenomenon in film/television series, most notably streaming series, where the main premise is drawn out to such a point that it takes an entire season or more to get the parts of the series the audience is actually interested in seeing.
For example, if a series is titled "Surf Dracula," a majority of viewers would tune in expecting to see Dracula surfing by the first or second episode. However, the entire first season would instead be tedious padding and backstory before finally ending with Dracula surfing in the last five minutes of the season finale.
For example, if a series is titled "Surf Dracula," a majority of viewers would tune in expecting to see Dracula surfing by the first or second episode. However, the entire first season would instead be tedious padding and backstory before finally ending with Dracula surfing in the last five minutes of the season finale.
I watched "Smallville" on Netflix the other day. Dude, it was ten seasons of filler before he finally flew! Major Surf Dracula Syndrome!
Surf Dracula Syndrome by AOmundson June 18, 2023
Word of the Day on October 24, 2026
Northstarring
Finding your way back to the truth by fixing on one verified fact and working out from there, the way you navigate by the North Star when everything around you is spinning.
Northstarring by Light Bearer October 22, 2026
Word of the Day on October 23, 2026
Plate of Brown
A plate of brown consists of foods that have little to no nutritional value, and are typically deep fried. A true plate of brown will also be accompanied by a dark soda.
Plate of Brown by Cheddar Craigson September 18, 2020
Word of the Day on October 22, 2026
Larpenomics
When finance content creators rent out fancy cars and flex cash to seem richer than they really are in order to promote and sell their “get rich quick” courses.
Larpenomics by Rbois09 October 21, 2026
Word of the Day on October 21, 2026
Palmela Handerson
Your hand that you masturbate with.
Girlfriend: What are you going to do for the next week while I'm on holiday?
Boyfriend: Have a visit from Palmela Handerson of course!
Boyfriend: Have a visit from Palmela Handerson of course!
Palmela Handerson by One eyed wombat June 13, 2018
Word of the Day on October 20, 2026