PhrasesHub

Peg out

    Definitions

      • to die
        Informal way of expressing that someone has passed away

      • to mark or define a boundary
        To place pegs or markers to outline a specific area or boundary

    Examples of Peg out

    • The tent pegs kept falling out, making it difficult for us to keep the tent stable during the strong wind. We finally decided to peg out the tent securely by driving the pegs deeply into the ground.

      The idiom "peg out" is used in its literal sense here, where pegs are inserted into the ground to support a tent. When the pegs keep falling out, it becomes impossible to keep the tent stable, and hence it becomes necessary to drive them deeply into the ground to secure the tent.

    • We have to peg out our plans for the future and stick to them consistently.

      Here, "peg out" is used figuratively to signify the process of making elaborate plans for the future and following them diligently. The phrase "peg out" is used to convey the idea that once our plans are fixed, we have to hold onto them with the same level of stability and support that a tent gets from firmly driven pegs.

    • We don't have many options left, and we'll have to peg out our last strategy in the hope of securing a win.

      The phrase "peg out" is being used in the context of a game or a competition, where winning is the ultimate goal. Here, "peg out" is used to signify the final move or strategy that a player will have to undertake to win the game.

    • We will have to peg out all loose ends in the project and ensure that everything is finely detailed and complete before we submit it.

      Here, "peg out" is used to signify the process of completing an unfinished project. The phrase is used to convey the idea that just as pegs are driven into the ground to secure a tent, all loose ends and missing details have to be completed and tied up securely.

    • John's garden produces so many vegetables that he's constantly busy pegging out his washing on the line, leaving little time for anything else.

      This idiom refers to securing a piece of clothing or linen to a line or pole with clips or wooden pegs. In this example, it is being used metaphorically to indicate that John has so much work in the garden that he barely has any time for his other chores.

    • The project is finally coming to an end, and the client has given us the go-ahead to peg out for a well-deserved break.

      In this business context, 'peg out' refers to officially finishing a project or task and completing it to the highest standard, allowing an individual or team to relax and recharge.

    • The football team's lead was so significant that the opposing team didn't even bother turning up; our guys could have pegged out early and still won comfortably.

      This idiom is being used in a sporting context to indicate that the margin of victory was so overwhelming that the losing team could have stopped playing and still lost by a significant portion.

    • I've been working non-stop for the past few weeks, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to peg out early tonight; I'm utterly exhausted.

      Here, the idiom is being used in a personal context to convey that someone is so tired that they need to retire from an activity or event earlier than usual, even if they typically find it easier to remain engaged.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "peg out" has two distinct meanings. The first is an informal way of saying that someone has died, while the second refers to marking or defining a boundary.

    In the context of death, "peg out" is a straightforward and informal way of expressing that someone has passed away. It is typically used in casual conversation or in informal writing.

    When used to mark or define a boundary, "peg out" is a practical and literal expression. It involves physically placing pegs or markers to outline a specific area or boundary, often in a construction or land surveying context.

    Origin of "Peg out"

    The origin of the idiom "peg out" is not definitively known, but it likely stems from the use of pegs or markers in various activities such as construction, surveying, and other practical tasks. The expression may have originated from the literal act of placing pegs to define a boundary or from a metaphorical association with the finality of death. Regardless of its exact origin, "peg out" has become a widely understood and commonly used idiom in English language.

    Examples:

    • "I'm sorry to hear that your uncle pegged out last night."
    • "We need to peg out the area where the new fence will be installed."