English Explanatory Dictionary

on the fritz

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prep_phrase
  1. Out of order; malfunctioning; broken.

Word forms

on the fritz

Etymology

Unknown. Attested from 1902, originally meaning “in a bad way” or “in bad condition”, malfunctioning of an appliance. Perhaps from German name Fritz, or onomatopoeic (imitating the sound of electric sparks jumping).

Synonyms

fritzed bung on the blink spaz

Derived words

fritz up
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