olly

olly olly oxen free

A phrase used to indicate that it is OK to come home or to a home base. It is commonly used in children's games. All the kids ran back to the starting point when Brian yelled, "Olly olly oxen free!"
See also: free, olly, oxen
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

All-y all-y oxen free!

It's safe to return home. This hide-and-seek and kick-the-can game catchphrase assures players that they can return to the starting point without penalty. Generations of mothers summoned children home to supper by standing on the porch and yelling the phrase.
See also: oxen
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • olly olly oxen free
  • All-y all-y oxen free!
  • walk-up song
  • take home
  • press home
  • press something home
  • see (one) home
  • see home
  • come home from (some place or something)
  • come home from some place
References in periodicals archive
Olly is not looking forward to Cousin Thomas coming to stay.
Grandma Dangerous and the Egg of Glory
Olly's Olives had one aim, to produce and sell the best quality olives, in the tastiest flavours possible.
Olive sales are supporting women in business
My eight-year-old is refusing to take a bath or shower ever again - and it's all down to pop star Olly Murs.
OLLY MAKES KIDS' HEARTS SKIP A BEAT
M2 EQUITYBITES-April 22, 2019-Unilever to close OLLY Nutrition's acquisition
Unilever to close OLLY Nutrition's acquisition
Global Banking News-April 22, 2019-Unilever to close OLLY Nutrition's acquisition
Unilever to close OLLY Nutrition's acquisition
Unilever signed an agreement Thursday to acquire vitamin and supplement brand Olly Nutrition.
Unilever to acquire Olly Nutrition
Olly Murscelebrated hard following his big win on The Voice UK and was feeling the effects this morning.
Olly Murs wakes up covered in glitter after drunken The Voice celebrations; Singer won The Voice UK with his act Molly Hocking and promptly stripped naked to celebrate his win
Olly Murs seems to exude a natural swagger but there is a moment that still haunts him to this day.
Panic and self doubt gripped me on stage I had to get help; SINGER OLLY MURS' BATTLE TO BEAT ANXIETY; EXCLUSIVE
WARWICKSHIRE and England seamer Olly Stone has been diagnosed with a partial stress fracture of the back.
More injury heartache for luckless Olly
Ellie Yarrow-Sanders disappeared with Olly Sheridan six months ago, and it is believed she could have travelled to Huddersfield and stayed in the town.
Missing mum and son are linked to here
JUDGED, bullied and tormented, Olly Whalley has first-hand experience on what it is like to live with a syndrome nobody seems to understand.
OLLY WHALLEY
Olly admitted: "I'm worried already about what I could end up doing in Scotland next year.
Lastyear Istripped downtoa mini kilt.. whoknows what I'll do in Scotland nexttime? OLLY MURS ON WHY HE CAN'T STOP POSING NAKED X Factor favourite reveals why he's always up for a laugh and why he turned to therapy after his mistake co-hosting the show that made him
OLLY Murs hopes one of The Voice contestants makes his heart skip a beat - but fears bosses will sack him if he dates one.
I'm chair for love; Olly's Voice hunt for new girl; EXCLUSIVE
He always goes down a storm whenever he's in the Toon and there'll be another chance to see Olly Murs in Newcastle.
Olly Murs announces Newcastle date on massive UK tour - when do tickets go on sale? He's just released new single Moves and Olly Murs has announced a UK tour for 2019 including a show in Newcastle; He's just released new single Moves and Olly Murs has announced a UK tour for 2019 including a show in Newcastle
SAN FRANCISCO -- OLLY is changing the way consumers shop for nutrition.
OLLY revolutionizing the vitamins aisle