off the wagon

off the wagon

1. Having returned to drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs after abstaining for a period of time. There have been a few times that I've nearly fallen off the wagon, but thinking of my responsibility to my daughter helps keep me sober. I'm worried about John—I think he may be off the wagon.
2. By extension, partaking in some activity after a period of abstinence. He gave up video games while he was studying for his final exams, but now that it's summer break he's off the wagon again. I was really good about my diet, but I fell off the wagon and went for some fast food last night.
See also: off, wagon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*off the wagon

 
1. Fig. drinking liquor after a period of abstinence. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~; get ~.) Poor John fell off the wagon again. Drunk as a skunk. He was off the wagon for a year the last time before he sobered up.
2. Fig. back on drugs after a period of abstinence. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~; get ~.) Wilbur is off the wagon and shooting up again. He can't be off the wagon, because he has never stopped using, even for a day.
See also: off, wagon
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

off the wagon

1. mod. drinking liquor after a period of abstinence. Poor John fell off the wagon again. Drunk as a skunk.
2. mod. back on drugs after a period of abstinence. Harry the Horse is off the wagon and shooting up again.
See also: off, wagon
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

off the wagon

Slang
No longer abstaining from alcoholic beverages.
See also: off, wagon
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • lay off the bottle
  • on the wagon
  • give it large
  • large it
  • get down to some serious drinking
  • juice freak
  • snakebite medicine
  • drug of choice
  • kick party
  • wine, women, and song
References in periodicals archive
According to the Mirror, despite falling off the wagon and going on a massive booze bender last week, the alcoholic football star is fighting back to fitness.
Gazza pictured looking healthy, happy days after booze bender relapse
After falling off the wagon spectacularly, Brian (Alun Armstrong) has been forced to check in by wife Esther (Susan Jameson).
New Tricks Thursday, BBC1, 9pm The [...]; TV
Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told Graham had a history of "falling off the wagon" which had affected his career as a joiner.
Theft of alcohol
But the troubled star fell off the wagon for the fifth time over the past 10 years and went into rehab.
Liza split is blamed on booze
Last year when I tried not drinking during Lent, I ended up falling off the wagon at the first hurdle - a meal out with friends.
Living: Family Affairs - Fasting rituals of Lent are too much to swallow
OFF THE WAGON Le Vell drinking before his dry spell
CORRIE KEV'S BACK ON THE BOOZE; SHOWBIZ EXCLUSIVE; Pals worry as actor sinks lager at party after 2 years
The "High School Musical" star has allegedly fallen off the wagon again amid reports that he was attacked in downtown Los Angeles.
Zac Efron Reportedly Back On Drug Habits, Never Went To Rehab As Claimed
According to the Mirror, the former football ace, who nearly died in rehab earlier this year, is in agony after falling off the wagon several times over the past few months.
Gazza fears 'no sympathy' if he dies from alcohol addiction
So we ordered a glass of wine.We had another and of course by now the wheels were off the wagon.
Turn coffee into wine; Fad of the week
Sheard, of Healey Lane in Batley, said he had fallen off the wagon a following his friend's recent death.
Drunk damaged car
Santos had been riding high since Vanderlei Luxemburgo took the reins following his disastrous spell at Real Madrid but the wheels came off the wagon on Wednesday night.
Football: Copa load of this; World of football
A drunken pharma- cist , given the chance to sober up after appearing before a disciplinary hearing, has fallen off the wagon.
Chemist carpeted again for drinking
Rob's blackmail has failed but Carla is so shocked she falls off the wagon and heads straight to the casino.
Tracy's heart? Who will win; ITV
The ex-Newcastle United, Spurs and Rangers star fell off the wagon in July and was fined 1,000 pounds for a drunken assault on a train guard, the report said.
'Gambling-addict' Gazza blows 4000 pounds on bets within hours!
But, sources say, he fell off the wagon around a month ago and distressing scenes were captured of him drinking himself into a stupor and breaking down in tears.
TV CREW FILMED GAZZA FALLING OF THE WAGON; 'Unmissable footage' as he hits the booze