on the blink

English

Etymology

Presumably from an appliance with poor electrical connection blinking from intermittent connection.

Pronunciation

Audio (AU) (file)

Prepositional phrase

on the blink

(UK, Australia, informal) functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well. Usually refers to a mechanical or electrical device.
My toaster is on the blink, making either charcoal or cold bread.
- 1968, “I'm So Tired”, in John Lennon (lyrics), The Beatles, performed by the Beatles:
  I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink / I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink

Synonyms

(malfunctioning): on the fritz

Translations

to be malfunctioning (device), the state of being out of order

German: kaputt sein, im Eimer sein, am Ende sein, im Arsch sein (vulgar), hinüber sein
Polish: niedysponowany

References

“on the blink” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.
“on the blink”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.

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