subs. (stock exchange).—In pl. Barrett’s Brewery and Bottling Co. shares.
TO TURN OUT NO BOTTLE, verb. phr. (sporting).—To turn out badly; to fail.
TO LOOK FOR A NEEDLE IN A BOTTLE OF HAY, verb. phr. (common).—To seek what it is impossible (or at least, difficult) to find, Fr. botte. [BOTTLE = BUNDLE]. Also, PIN’S HEAD IN A CARTLOAD OF HAY, and NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.
1565. J. CALFHILL, An Answer to John Martiall’s Treatise of the Cross [Parker Society], 173. PINSHEAD IN A CARTLOAD OF HAY.
1592. GREENE, A Quip for an Upstart Courtier (1871), 4. He … gropeth in the darke TO FIND A NEEDLE IN A BOTTLE OF HAY.
1661. Merry Drollery [EBSWORTH], 79. As soon FIND A NEEDLE IN A BOTTLE OF HAY.
c. 1845. HOOD, The Lost Heir, ii. A child as is lost about London streets …. is A NEEDLE IN A BOTTLE OF HAY.
1870. W. M. BAKER, New Timothy, 200. How in the world will we manage to find you afterwards? After we get into the thick of the bresh it’ll be like LOOKIN’ FOR A NEEDLE in the biggest sort of A HAYSTACK.
TO BOTTLE UP, verb. phr. (old).—To restrain temper (or feelings); to hold (or keep) back; to treasure in one’s memory.
1622. T. SCOTT, The Belgicke Pismire, 53. Vapours … BOTTELED up in cloudes.
1863. H. KINGSLEY, Austin Elliot, xi. Austin played very bad, trumped his partner’s … knave, led out strong suits of trumps without any suit to follow, BOTTLED them when his partner led them first time round.
1871. Cincinnati Commercial, April, 637. He will BOTTLE UP his wrath, having had some experience in the line of BOTTLING UP during the war, and pour out his vials upon General Farnsworth’s head, whenever the occasion offers.
BOTTLE OF BRANDY IN A GLASS, phr. (common).—A LONG DRINK (q.v.) of beer.
