tire

kick the tires

To inspect or test something or someone to ensure that he, she, or it meets the required or expected standard of quality. Primarily heard in US, Canada. You should always kick the tires of anything you plan to buy from someone online, or else you might end up buying a piece of junk! The boss always assigns difficult projects as a way of kicking the tires of new employees. We should hire a few interns to kick the tires on this app before we release it to the public.
See also: kick, tire

kick tires

To examine or inspect a second-hand car or cars for possible purchase; to shop for used cars in general. I always loved going to used car lots with my dad while he went around kicking tires. Our old van finally broke down, so I'm heading out this weekend to kick some tires.
See also: kick, tire

never tire of (something)

To never stop enjoying some activity or endeavor. Often said sarcastically of someone who likes to do something to an irritating degree. I'll never tire of our long hikes each weekend, Sandra. She never tires of reminding us about her amazing year abroad in London.
See also: never, of, 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

tire kicker

1. One who examines or inspects a second-hand car or cars, often without really intending to buy anything. Primarily heard in Australia. This guy isn't a serious buyer, he's just a tire kicker.
2. One who wastes another's time. We need serious candidates for this position, so make sure to eliminate any tire kickers.
See also: kicker, tire

tire of (someone or something)

To lose interest in or patience with someone or something. He always tires of his toys after a few months, so we sell them online. I tired of working in finance and decided to pursue a career in writing.
See also: of, tire

tire out

To exhaust, fatigue, or deplete the energy of someone or an animal. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tire" and "out." These long meetings are starting to tire out the staff. Our new puppy has so much energy that I have to take him for a run each day to tire him out.
See also: out, tire
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

tire of someone or something

to grow weary of someone or something. She tired of him and left him. I am beginning to tire of the furniture in the living room.
See also: of, tire

tire out

to become exhausted. I tire out easily. When I had the flu, I found that I tired out easily.
See also: out, tire

tire someone out

to exhaust someone. The extra work tired him out a lot. Too much work will tire out the horses.
See also: out, 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.

never tire of doing something

do something a lot, especially in a way that annoys people: He went to Harvard — as he never tires of reminding us.
See also: never, of, something, tire
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

tire of

v.
To have one's interest or patience exhausted by something or someone: Soon after the semester started, I tired of the boring morning lectures. My parents never tired of giving me unwanted advice.
See also: of, tire

tire out

v.
To deplete the strength or energy of someone or something; fatigue someone or something: Traveling always tires me out. The long ride tired out the horses.
See also: out, tire
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

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:
  • kick the tires
  • kick the tyres
  • tyre
  • kick the wheels
  • chip
  • chips
  • up on (one's) ear
  • run the rule over
  • run the rule over (one)
  • Two Bob
References in periodicals archive
In recent years, scrap tire management has been less of an issue for state governments, largely because state legislators believe illegal tire piles and the threats they pose are a thing of the past.
Wheeling and dealing: states approach scrap tire management and end market development in a number of ways
At the time, there were more than 300 companies making tires in the USA.
General Tire celebrates "100 Years of Reliability"
Tires aren't the only area of concern when it comes to material handling equipment.
A load-off: knowledge of individual business needs is a key step in determining which type of material handling equipment is the best fit
Despite potential advantages in terms of injury prevention and waste recycling, the use of recycled tire crumb products on playgrounds has had little health investigation.
A case study of tire crumb use on playgrounds: risk analysis and communication when major clinical knowledge gaps exist
Never mix radial and bias-ply tires on the same vehicle.
Tire PM = money $aver
Visit Fountain Tire on the Internet at www.fountaintire.com.
Commercial tire centre expands
When tires lose their cushioning ability, truck operators are subjected to bouncing and jolting that at its best will lower productivity.
Are your lift truck tires safe?
The biggest shortages appear to be in the Caterpillar 777 truck tire line and for tires in the 57-inch range.
Over-inflated: demand has been exceeding supply in the off-road tire market
But even cheap polyurethane tires won't sell if they don't perform as well as rubber.
Tires of the future? If automotive tire upstart Amerityre can perfect its polyurethane tires, we may soon have to revise the phrase "where the rubber meets the road."
If the rim appears undamaged and the tire still has more than 80% of its TM recommended inflation pressure, you can inflate the tire while it's still on the vehicle.
Never tire of tire safety
"I tried to expand (tire collection from landfill sites) to other municipalities, but it just wasn't economical.
Mountain of used tires a recycling challenge
Tire rubber contains antioxidants that can slow aging of asphalt pavement.
Rubber to the road
The Tire Society announced that a $500 prize will be presented for the best technical paper authored and presented by a student at the 31st Annual Business Meeting and Conference on Tire Science and Technology.
Paper call
These considerations range from tire selection to maintenance.
A load-off: manufacturers offer tips for determining the best loader for an operation
But before I go into the details of Michelin's Pax tire, let's review the current state-of-the-art.
No air? No problem!