subs. (common).—A blow. Cf., ‘LET DRIVE’ = to aim a blow; to strike. ‘Four rogues in buckram LET DRIVE at me.’—Shakespeare. For synonyms, see DIG.
1863. H. KINGSLEY, Austin Elliot, ch. xix. Lord Charles, alter three or four attempts, had managed to give him a violent ‘DRIVE’ on the shins under the table.
Verb (cricket).—To send a ball off the bat with full force horizontally.
TO DRIVE AT, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To aim at: e.g., What are you DRIVING AT? = What do you mean?
1697. VANBRUGH, The Relapse, Act iii., Sc. 2. Ber. Well, I can’t imagine what you DRIVE AT. Pray tell me what you mean?
1730. JAMES MILLER, The Humours of Oxford, Act iii., p. 41 (2 ed.). Tru. What does the coxcomb DRIVE AT?
1752. FIELDING, Amelia, bk. IX., ch. iii. ‘O, your servant, sir,’ said the Colonel, ‘I see what you are DRIVING AT.’
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch. xii. Howld yer impudence, ye young heretic doggrel-writer; can’t I see what ye are DRIVING AT?
TO DRIVE A BARGAIN, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To conduct a negotiation; to make the best terms you can; to dispute a condition or a price; to succeed in a ‘deal.’ Cf., TO DRIVE A HUMMING TRADE.
1580. SIDNEY, Arcadia.
| My true love hath my heart, and I have his,… | |
| There never was a better BARGAIN DRIVEN. |
1638. FORD, The Lady’s Trial, V., ii.
| Love DROVE THE BARGAIN, and the truth of love | |
| Confirm’d it. |
1668. ETHEREGE, She Would if She Could, V., in wks. (1704), p. 172. How … goes the business between you and these ladies? Are you like to DRIVE A BARGAIN?
1688. SHADWELL, The Squire of Alsatia, ii., in wks. (1720), iv., 43. He never … drinks hard, but upon design, as DRIVING A BARGAIN, or so.
1697. VANBRUGH, The Provoked Wife, II., i. Why, madam, TO DRIVE A Quaker’s BARGAIN, and make but one word with you, if I do part with it, you must lay down your affectation.
1712. Spectator, No. 450. I do not remember I was ever overtaken in drink, save … five times at DRIVING OF BARGAINS.
1837. BULWER-LYTTON, Ernest Maltravers, wks. IV., ch. vii. You’ll DRIVE A much better BARGAIN with me than with her.
1855. GASKELL, North and South, ch. xxvii. As it affected his branch of the trade he took advantage of it, and DROVE hard BARGAINS.
TO DRIVE A HUMMING or ROARING TRADE, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To do well in business.
1625. JONSON, The Staple of News, II.
| And, as you say, | |
| DRIVE A QUICK PRETTY TRADE, still. |
1736. FIELDING, Don Quixote, III., iv. You are to DRIVE A HUMMING TRADE here.
1883. HAWLEY SMART, Hard Lines, ch. vii. The vendors of apples, oranges, and gingerbread … were DRIVING A ROARING TRADE.
1883. A. DOBSON, Hogarth, p. 71. The gentleman at the sign of the ‘Three Balls’ is DRIVING A ROARING TRADE.
TO DRIVE ONESELF TO THE WASH, verb. phr. (common).—To drive in a basket-chaise.
TO DRIVE PIGS TO MARKET, verb. phr. (common).—To snore.—See quot. Fr., jouer ô la ronfle or de l’orgue; also fumer.
1787. GROSE, A Provincial Glossary, etc., p. 64 (1811). He is DRIVING HIS HOGS OVER SWARSTON-BRIDGE. This is a saying used in Derbyshire, when a man snores in his sleep. Swarston-bridge (or bridges, for there are several of them, one after another) is very long, and not very wide, which causes the hogs to be crowded together, in which situation they always make a loud grunting noise.
TO DRIVE TURKEYS TO MARKET, verb. phr. (common).—To reel and wobble in drink.
TO DRIVE FRENCH HORSES, verb. phr. (common).—To vomit. [From the ‘Hue donc’ of French carters to their teams.] For synonyms, see ACCOUNTS.
DRIVER’S PINT, subs. phr. (military).—A gallon.
