angle for farthings

angle for farthings

obsolete To beg out of a prison window with a receptacle of some kind, such as a box or cup on a string, like an angler trying to catch fish. Primarily heard in UK. Imagine the days when prisons looked out onto public streets, with the prisoners shouting down at you or angling for farthings.
See also: angle, farthing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • farthing
  • beg pardon
  • beg
  • beg (something) from (someone)
  • beg from
  • chuck (something) in (to something)
  • chuck in
  • string out
  • strung out
  • bended