TO GO ALOFT, verb. phr. (nautical).—To die: see HOP THE TWIG.
1692. E. WALKER, Morals of Epictetus (1737), Intr. His rich soul ALOFT DID SOAR.
c. 1800. DIBDIN, Tom Bowling.
| No more he’ll hear the | |
| tempest howling, | |
| For death has broached him to…. | |
| Faithful below he [Tom] | |
| did his duty, | |
| But now he’s GONE ALOFT. |
TO COME ALOFT, verb. phr. (old colloquial).—1. To vault; to play tricks: as a tumbler.
1624. MASSINGER, The Bondman, iii. 3.
| Do you grumble? you were ever | |
| A brainless ass; but if this hold, I’ll teach you | |
| TO COME ALOFT, and do tricks like an ape. |
2. (venery).—TO MOUNT (q.v.).
1590. SPENSER, The Fairie Queene, III. x. 48. Nine times he heard him COME ALOFT ere day.
