spare tire

spare tire

1. A layer of excess fat around one's midsection. I think I need to lay off the junk food, because this spare tire of mine is getting a bit out of hand.
2. An unhelpful, unnecessary, unproductive, or unwanted person in a group. There are a few spare tires on this project who are really holding back our progress. Ever since John's girlfriend started hanging out with us, it's left me feeling like a spare tire.
See also: spare, tire

spare tyre

1. A layer of excess fat around one's midsection. Primarily heard in UK. I think I need to lay off the lager, because this spare tyre of mine is getting a bit out of hand.
2. An unhelpful, unnecessary, unproductive, or unwanted person in a group. Primarily heard in UK. There are a few spare tyres on this project who are really holding back our progress. Ever since John's girlfriend started hanging out with us, it's left me feeling like a spare tyre.
See also: spare, tyre
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spare tire

 
1. a thickness in the waist; a roll of fat around one's waist. I've got to get rid of this spare tire. The spare tire started when I was twenty-six.
2. an unneeded person; an unproductive person. Gary is a spare tire. Send him home. You spare tires over there! Get to work.
See also: spare, tire
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

spare tire

Fat around one's middle, as in He's determined to lose ten pounds and that spare tire he's acquired. This expression transfers the term for an extra tire carried in cars in case of a flat tire to excess fat around the waist. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
See also: spare, tire
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a spare tyre

If someone has a spare tyre, they have a large circle of fat around their waist. Note: `Tyre' is spelled `tire' in American English. He had long, wavy hair, a big diamond ring and a spare tyre around his middle.
See also: spare, tyre
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a ˌspare ˈtyre

(British English) (American English a ˌspare ˈtire) a roll of flesh around the waist: He went on a diet to try and lose his spare tyre.
See also: spare, tyre
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

spare tire

1. n. a thickness in the waist; a roll of fat around one’s waist. The spare tire started when I was twenty-six.
2. n. an unneeded person; an unproductive person. Gary is a spare tire. Send him home.
See also: spare, tire
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a spare tyre
  • spare tyre
  • love handles
  • handle
  • handles
  • the/(one's) junk
  • junk food
  • narrow at the equator
  • get booted
  • clear out of some place
References in periodicals archive
One particular topic of investigation was the relationship between spare tire location and spare tire pressure.
A statistical study of tire pressures on road going vehicles
Roll the spare tire next to the vehicle and position it so the holes line up with the studs.
Surviving a flat tire
Consumer Reports urges Kia and all automakers, as well as their dealers, to be upfront about the availability of spare tires.
Where the heck is my spare tire?
Designed to be attached to a rear-mounted spare tire (such as on a Jeep or FJ), it can be attached to anything from a tree limb to a roof rack.
Car camping reborn: ride and camp in style and comfort with this new-age take on an old-school tradition
The metal lift plate that holds the spare tire assembly underneath the truck bed may not have been sufficiently coated with phosphate, causing it to rust and break, Toyota said.
Toyota to recall 150,000 Tacoma trucks in U.S
Understandably, the key to deflating that spare tire and losing the fat that's driving metabolic syndrome is through proper diet and exercise; however, so many men find it difficult to achieve these goals.
Tighten your belt to protect your heart from metabolic syndrome: obesity is the driving force behind this cluster of risk factors that put you on the path to diabetes and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke
Step 2: Get the stuff you're gonna need: the spare tire (let's hope you have one of these and that it has air), the jack (thing that lifts the car), a tire iron (crow-bar-looking thing or a shiny cross-shaped thing), an optional pipe (also called a cheater bar--it's for better leverage, but you don't really need this), optional wheel chocks (this is an item that will keep your car from rolling and is also not entirely necessary) and gloves (these will protect your nails).
How to change a flat tire: even you girly girls can do it
Most experienced drivers carried two or three spare tire casings, several extra inner tubes, a tire pump and a patch kit.
Wild ride: early automobile experience were unpredictable
To preserve room in the third row, the Crossroad does without a spare tire with a can of fix-a-flat.
Compact crossover
The part has internal ribs for stiffness so that it can support a 250-lb load and also has a living hinge to allow access to the under-floor spare tire. The one-step insert blow molding process substitutes for the use of carpet, which requires adhesive and additional process steps.
Long-glass thermoplastics & blow molding grab SPE automotive awards
I ended up with a fairly new battery (for my old "Mayo-Jack" VW, your 4/28/04 website Picture of the Week) and a nice spare tire.
Re: "A Father's Worry," Spring 2006
The trailer also comes standard with electric brakes, a built-in toolbox, tie-downs and a spare tire. The compact Grundodrill 4X is specifically designed for conduit installation, as well as residential service and small diameter main installations.
TT Technologies
He hopes to follow people in weight-loss programs to see if they can literally dream away the spare tire.
Beautiful dreamer: lack of sleep could be causing more than bags under your eyes--how about that saddlebag around your waist!
* Check the trunk to make sure you have a viable spare tire and jack.
Car rental tips to ensure a smooth ride
I unpacked my truck and removed the spare tire and jack, then moved to the front.
ORM never should take a holiday