wipe the floor (with) v.
to beat decisively, to thrash; also ad hoc vars. (e.g. cit. 1908).
Bulletin (Sydney) 29 Oct. 6/1: Mr. Dibbs wiped the floor with all the preceding speakers by taking the bung out of his grammar and uncorking his geography and letting fly the following choice sentiment: [...]. | ||
Detroit Free Press Aug. n.p.: [...] He’d wipe up the ground with him; he’d walk all over him [F&H]. | ||
Sporting Times 25 Jan. 1/4: That they dusted all the furniture with me need not be said. | ||
Maggie, a Girl of the Streets (2001) 21: Dose mugs can’t phase me. Dey knows I kin wipe up deh street wid any tree of dem. | ||
On the Wallaby 252: So you’re the man who’s going to wipe the dirt with me, to bang me up and down creation till my own mother wouldn’t know me, eh? | ||
N.Y. Press 9 Dec. in Stallman (1966) 113: Say, young feller, if yeh go shootin’ off yer face at me, I’ll wipe d’ joint wid yeh. | in||
Dumont’s Joke Book 30: She’d wipe the floor up with him / When she was full of beer. | ||
Bulletin (Sydney) 3 Mar. 14/3: weary humper: Any great events been comin’ off up in the town lately, Billy? / billy: My word, yes – lots. Me brother Tom just got six months few cow-duffin’; ole Murphy’s been wipen’ the street with the new trap; dad’s stopped ’is Bulletin. | ||
By Bolo and Krag 175: And did the —teenth ever fail to wipe the floor with any organization of men that ever drew gun. | ||
Magnet 7 Mar. 5: Tell us where he is, or we’ll wipe up the mud in the close with you! | ||
Dundee Courier 5 May 3/4: I would wipe the floor with you, hair and all. | ||
Magnet 10 Sept. 12: I have a jolly good mind to wade in and wipe up the floor with you. | ||
Truth (Melbourne) 24 Jan. 10/5: Come here, you fat — , and I’ll wipe the floor with you. | ||
Daily Liar 1/4: The Huns can’t sweep the floor with us, / Send us victorious. | ||
Ulysses 305: Myler dusted the floor with him, says Alf. | ||
Me And Gus (1977) 15: Nick [...] said ‘Hold the reins, Mary, while I get out and wipe the dirt with that snipe.’. | ‘Helping Out Gus’ in||
(con. 1903) Gangs of N.Y. 285: As Monk expressed it, ‘We’ll wipe up de earth wit’ youse guys.’. | ||
Hull Dly Mail 6 May 3/4: A woman [...] shouted at the defendant: ‘If you were my man, I’d wipe the floor with you’. | ||
This Gutter Life 283: Come on now, or I’ll climb that grid and wipe the bloody floor with you! | ||
Capricornia (1939) 199: He told the Officer that if he, the Officer, were not so old and feeble he would wipe the ground with him. | ||
Harder They Fall (1971) 255: You [...] grind out sausage about how your great Man Mountain is going to wipe the floor with poor old Gus Lennert. | ||
Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1964) 132: For good looks he could have wiped the floor with Clark Gable or any other star. | ||
There is a Happy Land (1964) 119: Garno was tougher than I was and he was going to wipe the blinking floor with me. | ||
Panic in Needle Park (1971) 78: Bobby, he’d wipe the streets with you, let’s face it. He’s healthy, and look at you. | ||
Union Dues (1978) 105: We catch you out, we wipe up this street with your old gray ass. | ||
(con. 1930s) Emerald Square 208: Did she not sing solo in the chapel choir? I would wipe the floor with her. | ||
Secret World of the Irish Male (1995) 237: Your man roars again, ‘we’ll wipe the bleedin floor with yez.’. | ||
Get Shorty [film script] I’ll make you a deal. If you can get out of here before I take my coat off, I won’t clean the floor with you, get your little costume all messed up. | ||
Guardian Guide 12–18 Feb. 52: Even Ringo had more talent. Thomas the Tank engine wipes the floor with it. | ||
When You’re Engulfed in Flames 97: Ya mutt. I’ll mopthe fucking floor with you. |