fritz2 slang (orig. and chiefly U.S.).
(frɪts)
[Origin unknown.]
Phr. on the fritz: out of order, defective, unsatisfactory; to put on the fritz (also to put the fritz on): to spoil, destroy, put a stop to.
| 1903 R. L. McCardell Conversat. Chorus Girl 15 They gave an open air [performance] that put our opera house show on the Fritz. 1906 H. Green At Actors' Boarding House 359 What with me ketchin' 'em cookin' spaghetti on the gas an' tearin' up the bedspreads to use fur makeup towels, they're puttin' the place on the fritz! 1924 Wodehouse Bill the Conqueror v. 122 Everything's on the fritz nowadays. 1962 Guardian 11 Apr. 9/2 It appeared, for an awful moment, that a cue had failed, that the teleprompter was on the fritz. 1968 R. H. R. Smithies Shoplifter (1969) vii. 151 It's Mother's plan to put the fritz on shoplifting. |