spear

spear carrier

1. An actor with a minor part in a production. I know you're disappointed to just be a spear carrier in the play, but if you do well in this role, maybe you'll get a bigger one next year.
2. By extension, a subordinate, especially one who has an unimportant role in some group or thing. Adam's just a spear carrier, we can make this decision without him. Have one of those spear carriers get me a cup of coffee!
See also: carrier, spear

spear out

1. To pierce through and emerge out of someone or something like a spear. The sharpened stake drove into the poor animal's belly and speared out its back. The fighter jet came spearing out of the clouds with incredible speed.
2. To pierce something with something long and sharp and pluck it out (of something else). In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "spear" and "out." I sharpened a long stick and speared the fish out of the pool of water. She used a shish kebab skewer to spear out the last olive from the jar.
See also: out, spear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spear something out (of something)

to bring something forth from something by sticking it with something sharp and pulling. Richard spears pickles right out of the jar with a fork. He speared out a pickle.
See also: out, spear

take the spear (in one's chest)

Sl. to accept full blame for something; to accept the full brunt of the punishment for something. The CFO got the short straw and had to take the spear in his chest. I sure didn't want to take the spear.
See also: spear, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

take the spear (in one’s chest)

tv. to accept full blame for something; to accept the full brunt of the punishment for something. The admiral got the short straw and had to take the spear in his chest.
See also: chest, spear, take

take the spear

verb
See take the spear in one’s chest
See also: spear, take
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • carrier
  • spear carrier
  • disappointed at
  • disappointed at (someone or something)
  • disappointed in (someone or something)
  • count (one's) blessings
  • count one's blessings
  • count your blessings
  • take second place
  • bad publicity is good publicity
References in classic literature
The clock on the wall showed him that, already, he had given to young Spear one hour and a quarter.
"See Spear? Third man from the last." A long line, guarded in front and rear, shuffled into the court-room, and, as ordered, ranged themselves against the wall.
Spear, his head hanging, with lips white and cheeks ashen, and his eyes heavy with shame.
At the sight of the great man, Spear flushed crimson, and then his look of despair slowly disappeared; and into his eyes there came incredulously hope and gratitude.
So great was his interest that he had forgotten the particular derelict he had come to serve, until Spear stood almost at his elbow.
Spear was free, and from different parts of the courtroom people were moving toward the door.
He begrudged to Isaacs & Sons the credit of having given Spear his liberty.
From the friends of Spear there was a ripple of applause, which no tipstaff took it upon himself to suppress, and to the accompaniment of this, Mr.
Wasted Day
Spear and ATA have applauded the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for its proposed changes to HOS regulations.
ATA President On The Issues Facing Trucker Safety
Britney Spears has been spotted in public for the first time since she checked into a mental health facility earlier this month.
Britney Spears Spotted With Protective Boyfriend After Mental Health Treatment
The SPEAR program enhances the security of high-threat, high-risk posts by helping a host nation's security elements better respond to emergencies at U.S.
SPEARs for safety: host-nation teams bolster security overseas
Spear assumed leadership July 9, but he is already a familiar face to the Arkansas trucking industry.
New ATA CEO pleases state industry
Certifications like Food Safety distinguish suppliers like Spear helping to assure global customers that there is no compromise to their product or the manufacturing process regardless of supply location.
Spear receives food Safety System Certification
Instead of sending thousands of emails to random recipients hoping a few will respond, spear phishing targets select groups of people with something in common.
Don't get caught by spear phishing
About 13 percent of more than 200 stone points found at a site called Kathu Pan 1 display modifications and damage consistent with having been attached to spear handles and hurled at prey such as springbok, say Jayne Wilkins, an anthropologist at the University of Toronto, and her colleagues.
Earliest projectile weapons found: common ancestor of people and Neandertals flung spears