The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท G

Get the lead out

Meaning

To hurry up or move faster. It is a command for someone who is lagging behind to pick up the pace.

Urgent, snappy

Used in a sentence

  • We are late for the movie, so get the lead out!
  • Get the lead out if you want to finish this job before sunset.
  • If you do not get the lead out, we are going to miss the start of the game.

The backstory

This refers to the days before mass-produced bullets, when lead was heavy and difficult to carry. If your pockets were full of lead, you would naturally move slowly.

Heard in

Nationwide

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