PhrasesHub

Gone for a burton

    Definitions

      • Missing or lost
        To indicate that someone is no longer present or accounted for, often due to death or disappearance

      • Ruined or destroyed
        To describe something that has been severely damaged or rendered useless, often irreparably

    Examples of Gone for a burton

    • Jane was supposed to meet us at the coffee shop, but she's gone for a burton.

      In this example, 'gone for a burton' is being used as a humorous way of saying that Jane has disappeared unexpectedly or has failed to show up somewhere where she was expected to be. The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it could possibly refer to the practice of hanging burton fabric (a coarse, woolen cloth used for making rough working clothes) as a punishment. In this context, 'gone for a burton' could mean that someone has been completely and utterly defeated or failed. However, in language use today, it is often used more loosely to simply mean that someone has vanished or not shown up for a meeting or appointment.

    • After the exam, I felt like I had gone for a burton.

      In this example, the speaker is using the idiom 'gone for a burton' in a figurative sense to express a strong feeling of disappointment, failure or exhaustion. The speaker may be implying that they failed the exam so completely that they are left feeling completely defeated. However, as with the previous example, it could also be used more loosely to mean that the speaker is simply feeling burned out or exhausted after taking the exam.

    • Ever since the company downsized, half the staff seems to have gone for a burton.

      In this example, the idiom 'gone for a burton' is being used to figuratively describe a large number of people who have left the company or been let go during a downsizing. The speaker could be implying that a significant portion of the staff has been completely or utterly defeated by the downsizing, as if they have been hanged like burton fabric. However, in this context, it is more likely that the speaker is simply saying that many people have left the company or been let go during the downsizing.

    • It's like I'm chasing after a greased piglet - I'm going for a burton!

      In this example, the speaker is using the idiom 'gone for a burton' in a metaphorical sense to describe a situation where they are trying to accomplish something that is difficult or impossible to achieve. The speaker may be saying that they are so deeply involved in an impossible or challenging task that they are doomed to fail, as if they have been hanged like burton fabric. However, the exact meaning of the example may depend on the specific context and the speaker's intended meaning.Remember that the meaning of idiomatic expressions often depends on the specific context, so it is important to consider the entire sentence in order to fully understand the meaning being conveyed. Additionally, the use of idiomatic expressions should be done creatively and appropriately, as overuse of idiomatic expressions can make writing sound unnatural or forced.

    • Jane's career seems to have gone for a burton ever since she was passed over for promotion.

      In this example, "gone for a burton" is used as a figurative expression meaning that Jane's career has failed or ended abruptly, just as the fictional character Burton went to an unexpected and disastrous end in a particular 1960s advertisement.

    • After the disastrous party, our reputation in the neighborhood has gone for a burton.

      In this example, "gone for a burton" is used to describe the negative impact the failed party had on the reputation of the person or group. The expression implies that the reputation has completely and suddenly fallen apart, much as Burton did in the advertisement.

    • Our team's chances of winning the match disappeared when our star player got injured. The team can consider themselves gone for a burton now.

      Here, "gone for a burton" is used in a more general context to imply that something has become completely hopeless or lost forever, just as the fate of Burton was seen as irrecoverable. This use of the expression shows its versatility beyond just describing the failure of careers or reputations.

    • After the company's acquisition by a foreign firm, the employees' job security has gone for a burton.

      In this final example, "gone for a burton" is used to indicate the loss of job security experienced by employees following the company's acquisition. The expression portrays the uncertainty and uncertainty that results from the acquisition in a powerful and memorable way. The phrase "gone for a burton" encapsulates the sudden and extreme nature of the employees' loss of job security, much as the character Burton's fate was seen as sudden and catastrophic.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "gone for a burton" is typically used in British English and has two main meanings. The first meaning refers to someone who is missing or lost, usually in a permanent sense. This could be due to death or disappearance. The second meaning of the idiom is to describe something that has been ruined or destroyed. This could refer to a physical object or a situation that has been irreparably damaged.

    In both cases, the idiom is used to convey a sense of loss or hopelessness. It suggests that the person or thing is no longer present or functional, and there is nothing that can be done to change that. The idiom is often used in a somber or resigned tone, reflecting the gravity of the situation being described.

    Origin of "Gone for a burton"

    The origin of the idiom "gone for a burton" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. Some sources suggest that it may have been derived from a brand of beer called "Burton Ale," which was popular in England at the time. This beer was known for its strong and bitter taste, and it is possible that the idiom was used to describe someone who had consumed too much of it and was therefore "gone" or incapacitated.

    Another possible origin of the idiom is related to the town of Burton upon Trent in England, which was known for its brewing industry. It is possible that the idiom may have been used to describe workers who had gone to Burton for work and never returned, hence becoming "gone for a burton."

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has become a common phrase in British English and is used to convey a sense of finality and loss.