spare tyre

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.
See also:
  • a spare tyre
  • spare tire
  • 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
But before he rode off on his yellow charger, he said: "Get yourself a spare tyre and keep it somewhere safe."
Spare tyre on the way and it won't be Mini
They had hidden the pills in the spare tyre thinking it's a safe place," Mahdi said.
Tramadol found hidden in spare tyres
"If Digvijay Singh has a role to play here, then he plays the role of a stepney (spare tyre) of Rahul Gandhi.
Uma Bharti describes Digvijay Singh as Rahul Gandhi's 'spare tyre'
Yet 97% of people are unaware of a link, despite 71% of those surveyed saying they had a spare tyre or muffin top.
Major health dangers of spare tyre
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director for the British Heart Foundation, said: "That harmless spare tyre around your waist is actually a major health hazard.
Beer bellies can put you at risk of getting cancer
He said: "I am concerned because the financial system in the UK does not seem to have a spare tyre for the provision of capital to non-financial businesses when the banking system has popped a leak."
Warning on small firms'' lending
In response to that trend, Bridgestone is confident that its third-generation run-flat tyres will significantly advance the use of run-flat tyres by original equipment manufacturers, thereby accelerating the elimination of spare tyres (emergency-use tyres) in passenger vehicles.
Bridgestone launches new run-flat tyres
They wrenched the spare tyre from the Ford Transit vehicle while it was parked outside the hospice in the grounds of the town's George Eliot Hospital.
Thieves target charity van's spare; Wheel stolen while vehicle left in hospital grounds
Around the same number could not find their spare tyre and nearly half could not fit it even if they did locate it.
DIPSTICK DRIVERS; One in nine can't even open their car's bonnet
Residents said most cars had at least two tyres damaged, making it difficult for them to get mobile again as they only had one spare tyre in each car.
Vandals in tyre slash rampage
I know you said last week the spare tyre is not checked, but my MOT is coming up and I want to make sure everything is in working order.
MotorMax: J-Turn has got me in a spin; EACH week MotorMax medics Dr Dashboard and Sister Spanner treat your motoring ailments and provide help on a range of problems. Whatever you need to know, they're here to help
Summary: Driver held after attempt to sneak past Oman border with 12 birds concealed in spare tyre
Driver caught with 12 birds hidden in spare tyre
The recall covers a specific Cruze configuration: the Cruze LS with a tyre inflator kit rather than a spare tyre.
General Motors recalls 112,000 Chevrolet Cruze
Eruada said the accused stole a Samsung phone valued at N30,000, a tricycle spare tyre valued at N15,000 and a cash of N51,000 from a tricycle parked at the roadside, property of the complainant, Mr Halilu Abdulahi.
Tricyclist docked over alleged theft of N51,000 property