greasy
Related to greasy: greasy spoon
greasy spoon
A small restaurant or diner, especially one that serves fried foods. Every time I go on a road trip, I make it a point to stop at a greasy spoon for at least one of my meals.
See also: greasy, spoon
the greasy pole
The route to advancement in one's place of employment or education, likened to a greased pole that is slippery and difficult to climb. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I know it's been a hard month, but it's just another upward movement on the greasy pole.
See also: greasy, pole
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
greasy spoon
Fig. a cheap diner, where the silverware might not be too clean. The corner greasy spoon is always busy at lunchtime.
See also: greasy, spoon
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
greasy spoon
A cheap restaurant, especially one serving short-order fried foods. For example, College students short of cash tend to eat a lot in that greasy spoon. This expression also implies that the restaurant is not very clean. [c. 1900]
See also: greasy, spoon
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
the greasy pole
BRITISHThe greasy pole is used to talk about someone's attempts to reach a more successful position in their career. In 1982 he joined the ruling party, since when he has climbed its greasy pole, becoming finance minister in 1991. Michael's plan was to impress the boss and start up the greasy pole. Note: This expression is often used disapprovingly, especially to suggest that success at work is not of great value. Note: In the past, climbing up or along a greasy pole in order to get a prize at the end of it was a popular fairground competition.
See also: greasy, pole
a greasy spoon
INFORMALA greasy spoon is a small, cheap, unattractive café that serves mostly fried food. We ate at a greasy spoon called the Step Inn Cafe.
See also: greasy, spoon
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
the greasy pole
used to refer to the difficult route to the top of someone's profession.The original literal greasy pole was a pole covered with an oily substance to make it more difficult to climb or walk along, used especially as a form of entertainment.
See also: greasy, pole
greasy spoon
a cheap, run-down restaurant or cafe serving fried foods. 1968 Len Deighton Only When I Larf Bob said he was hungry and wanted to pull up at every greasy spoon we passed.
See also: greasy, spoon
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
greasy spoon
n. an untidy and unappetizing diner or restaurant. Let’s eat at the greasy spoon over on Maple. The food is gross, but the people-watching is good.
See also: greasy, spoon
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
greasy spoon
A cheap restaurant, especially one serving greasy fried foods. This slangy expression, which dates from the early 1900s, also implies that the restaurant is not particularly clean. Len Deighton used it in Only When I Larf (1968), “Bob said he was hungry and wanted to pull up at every greasy spoon we passed.”
See also: greasy, spoon
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- a greasy spoon
- greasy spoon
- Eat at Joe's
- hash-house
- spoon out
- hash-slinger
- slinger
- hash slinger
- (all) rolled into one
- rolled into one