a/the son of a bitch
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son of a bitch
1. rude slang A mean, unpleasant, or despicable person. Usually, but not exclusively, said of a man. Sometimes abbreviated as SOB. Julie's ex-husband was such a mean son of a bitch, it's no wonder she divorced him. He can be a real son of a bitch sometimes, but he gets the job done. Those sons of bitches stole our stuff.
2. rude slang A person one considers daring, mischievous, or tough. Often used as an emphatic expression of affection. Usually, but not exclusively, said of a man. Sometimes abbreviated as SOB. That son of a bitch really pulled through for us when we needed him! I can't believe that lucky son of a bitch won the case! Dude, Karen is a tough son of a bitch. She just sewed her own stitches!
3. rude slang An object or task that is especially problematic. Sometimes abbreviated as SOB. My car broke down, and I can't figure out how to fix the son of a bitch! This project is turning out to be a real son of a bitch.
4. rude slang An exclamation of anger, disgust, or dismay. Son of a bitch! My car got towed! My computer crashed again—son of a bitch!
See also: bitch, of, son
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
son of a bitch
1. Inf. a very horrible person. (Use with caution. Usually intended as a strong insult. Never used casually.) Bill called Bob a son of a bitch, and Bob punched Bill in the face. This guy's a son of a bitch. He treats everybody rotten.
2. Inf. a useless thing. This car is a son of a bitch. It won't ever start when it's cold. This bumpy old road needs paving. It's a real son of a bitch.
3. Inf. a difficult task. This job is a son of a bitch. I can't do this kind of thing. It's too hard—a real son of a bitch.
See also: bitch, of, son
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
son of a bitch
Also, SOB; son of a gun. A mean, disagreeable individual, as in He was regarded as the worst son of a bitch in the industry, or He ran out on her? What an SOB, or He's a real son of a gun when it comes to owing you money. The first of these terms, calling a man the son of a female dog, dates from the early 1300s and is considered vulgar enough to have given rise to the two variants, both euphemisms. The first variant, an abbreviation, dates from World War I. The second, first recorded in 1708, gave rise to the theory that it originally applied to baby boys born at sea (in the days when women accompanied their husbands on long voyages). The explanation seems unlikely, especially since presumably some of the babies were girls. It also once meant the illegitimate son of a soldier (or "gun"). More probably, however, son of a gun evolved simply as a euphemism for the first term and appealed because of its rhyme. Both it and son of a bitch are also put as interjections expressing surprise, amazement, disgust, or disappointment, as in Son of a bitch! I lost my ticket, or I'll be a son of a gun! That must be the governor.
See also: bitch, of, son
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a/the ˌson of a ˈbitch
(also SOB especially in American English ) (taboo, slang) an offensive way to refer to a person that you think is bad or very unpleasant: That’s the son of a bitch who stole my car!See also: bitch, of, son
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
son of a bitch
1. n. a despicable person, usually a male. (Rude and derogatory. Abbreviated SOB.) Tell that son of a bitch to get out of here, but fast.
2. n. old buddy. (Used between close male companions.) Where you been keeping yourself, you son of a bitch?
3. exclam. Dammit! (Usually objectionable. Usually Son of a bitch!) Son of a bitch! I didn’t even see that car pull out.
See also: bitch, of, son
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- son of a gun
- a/the son of a gun
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- son of a biscuit
- son of a biscuit eater
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- penis
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