bums on seats

bums on seats

slang An audience in attendance. Primarily heard in Australia, Canada. Ticket sales are down because this team doesn't play well enough to put bums on seats.
See also: bum, on, seat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bums on seats

BRITISH, INFORMAL or

butts on seats

AMERICAN, INFORMAL
If a performer or performance puts bums on seats, they attract large audiences. He's always been like that and will never change. That's why he gets bums on seats — he's a showman. They will pay the person who gets butts in seats and Julia Roberts does. Note: In British English, `bum' is an informal word for `bottom'. `Butt' is an informal American word for `bottom'.
See also: bum, on, seat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

bums on seats

the audience at a theatre, cinema, or other entertainment, viewed as a source of income. informal
See also: bum, on, seat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

bums on ˈseats

(British English, informal) used to refer to the number of people who attend a show, talk, etc., especially when emphasizing the need or desire to attract a large number: They’re not bothered about attracting the right audience — they just want bums on seats.
See also: bum, on, seat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • corporate welfare bum
  • chip
  • chips
  • up on (one's) ear
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • dead as mutton
  • mutton
  • take attendance
  • one of the boys
References in periodicals archive
Hope there are plenty of bums on seats and no bum notes, etc.
Kim's Aloud a little treat; THE DIARY
PICTURE EXCLUSIVE BUMS ON SEATS Naked walkers help LeBlanc in his bid to boost viewing figures
That's a flesh car, Matt; EXCLUSIVE
He also puts bums on seats and is a Champions League winner.
No joy in Roy's vote for Masch
And if you're Peter Lawwell, all that should matter is finding a manager who can manage, not one who's going to put bums on seats.
Money talks when picking the new man
Seemingly this assortment are no good to England because they are not glamorous enough to put a serious number of bums on seats at Wembley for the Football Association's liking.
Our FA should think twice before moaning again
NEWCASTLE UNITED are working around the clock in order to get in new faces that will get "bums on seats" at St James' Park next season.
Signings to get 'bums on seats'
With four fellow graduates, Ollie has set up Bums on Seats ( a music production company based in Fenham, Newcastle ( using the best local talent available.
Grab a seat fast, the show's about to start!
Manager Peter Ireson, said: "There is a saying in the entertainment business that it's all about bums on seats and I'm confident our customers will be much more comfortable from now on."
Sitting comfortably? Oh yes we are!
A firm from the heart of the Black Country will show the world it certainly knows how to put "bums on seats" today.
Pel sitting pretty with rugby fans
And there doesn't seem to be a catch either - just a way for the cool, Parisian-styled Belfast bar to celebrating its first birthday and, no doubt, get bums on seats. Not street bums, of course, actual bums.
FREE GRUB FOR BIRTHDAY BASH [...]
Gerry Russell, Kilsyth, added: "The Celtic fans won't flock back if Mowbray's appointed because they'd rather Roy Keane put bums on seats."
Calls were off target
He said: ``We want bums on seats and you don't get bums on seats if there's a problem.''
Patchy buses leave users in lurch
But the Mexican beauty is likely to ensure there will be plenty of bums on seats when the movie hits cinemas.
Salma's such a cheek, eh Pierce?
Kenny - artistic director at Edinburgh's Lyceum - was brought in to help bosses get more bums on seats.
Lardy luvvie Ken gets even bigger seat
YOU can bet your bottom dollar that one of Saddam Hussein's buttocks will get bums on seats when it is sold at auction.
How much am I bid for Saddam Hussein's bum? SAS HERO'S CHEEKY SOUVENIR FOR SALE