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on the blink
01
used to refer to machinary that is not functioning properly or at all
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "on the blink" and when to use it?
The idiom "on the blink" originated from the writings of George V. Hobart, a Canadian-American author who wrote under the pseudonym Hugh McHugh. In his book "John Henry" published in 1901, he used the phrase to mean that one of his characters would become agitated, which is the first known use of the idiom in its complete form. The more general use of the word "blink" as a verb, meaning 'confuse,' can be found much earlier. The phrase is now used to describe something, typically a mechanical or electrical device, that is malfunctioning or not working correctly.
Example
The car's air conditioning is on the blink, making the summer drives quite uncomfortable.
The streetlights in the neighborhood have been on the blink for days, posing a safety concern.
Due to the extreme weather, the heating system in the house is on the blink.
The office coffee machine is on the blink, causing inconvenience for the employees.
