TO GATHER UP, verb. phr. (American).—To lead away.
1847. W. T. THOMPSON, Chronicles of Pineville, p. 182. ‘GATHER him UP, boys,’ said the judge, ‘the sentence of the law must be executed!’
TO GATHER THE TAXES, verb. phr. (tailors’).—To go from workshop to workshop seeking employment. Hence, TAX-GATHERER = a man out of work and looking for a job. Cf., INSPECTOR OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OUT OF GATHERS, adv. phr. (colloquial).—In distress. Cf., OUT AT ELBOWS.
