verb. (common).—To thrash; TO PUNISH (q.v.).
TO POLISH OFF, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To finish out of hand; to get rid of summarily: as a dinner, or an adversary.
1834. M. G. DOWLING, Othello Travestie, i. 6.
| Cassio. Oh, is it drunk I am? Just wait awhile, | |
| And may be I won’t POLISH you OFF in style. |
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, xxvi. “Mayn’t I POLISH that ere Job OFF, in the front garden?” said Mr. Weller. “Certainly not,” replied Mr. Pickwick.
1847. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, xxxiv. 246. Bob had his coat off at once—he stood up to the Banbury man for three minutes, and POLISHED HIM OFF in four rounds easy. Ibid. (1855), The Newcomes, II. 252. He expressed repeatedly a desire that some one would speak ill of the Colonel, so that he might have an opportunity of POLISHING THAT INDIVIDUAL OFF in about two seconds.
1862. Cornhill Magazine, vi. 643. I used to steal something and take it to the marine-store dealers…. As I got on in thieving, I left home, and was soon POLISHED OFF into a first-class wire.
1870. Sunday Times, 21 May. If you keep a sharp look-out you may perchance see a critic, for, unfortunately, the Royal Academy cannot be POLISHED OFF at a private view like other exhibitions.
1888. BOLDREWOOD, Robbery under Arms, i. He rolled into a man big enough to eat him, and POLISHED him OFF.
TO POLISH (PICK, or EAT) A BONE, verb. phr. (common).—To make a meal.—GROSE (1785).
TO POLISH THE KING’S IRON WITH THE EYEBROWS, verb. phr. (old).—‘To look through the iron-grated windows of a prison.’—GROSE (1785).
