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skid

 - 3 dictionary results

skid

[skid] noun, verb, skid⋅ded, skid⋅ding.
–noun
1. a plank, bar, log, or the like, esp. one of a pair, on which something heavy may be slid or rolled along.
2. one of a number of such logs or timbers forming a skidway.
3. a low mobile platform on which goods are placed for ease in handling, moving, etc. Compare stillage.
4. a plank, log, low platform, etc., on or by which a load is supported.
5. Nautical.
a. any of a number of parallel beams or timbers fixed in place as a raised support for boats, spars, etc.
b. any of a number of timbers on which a heavy object is placed to be shoved along on rollers or slid.
c. an arrangement of planks serving as a runway for cargo.
d. an arrangement of planks serving as a fender to protect the side of a vessel during transfer of cargo.
e. sidewise motion of a vessel; leeway.
6. a shoe or some other choke or drag for preventing the wheel of a vehicle from rotating, as when descending a hill.
7. a runner on the under part of some airplanes, enabling the aircraft to slide along the ground when landing.
8. an unexpected or uncontrollable sliding on a smooth surface by something not rotating, esp. an oblique or wavering veering by a vehicle or its tires: The bus went into a skid on the icy road.
–verb (used with object)
9. to place on or slide along a skid.
10. to check the motion of with a skid: She skidded her skates to a stop.
11. to cause to go into a skid: to skid the car into a turn.
–verb (used without object)
12. to slide along without rotating, as a wheel to which a brake has been applied.
13. to slip or slide sideways, as an automobile in turning a corner rapidly.
14. to slide forward under the force of momentum after forward motion has been braked, as a vehicle.
15. (of an airplane when not banked sufficiently) to slide sideways, away from the center of the curve described in turning. Compare slip 1 (def. 15).
16. on the skids, Slang. in the process of decline or deterioration: His career is on the skids.
17. put the skids under, Informal. to bring about the downfall of; cause to fail: Lack of money put the skids under our plans.
18. the skids, Informal. the downward path to ruin, poverty, or depravity: After losing his job he began to hit the skids.

Origin:
1600–10; 1925–30 for def. 18; appar. < ON skith (n.), c. OE scīd thin slip of wood; see ski


skid⋅ding⋅ly, adverb


9, 12. slip. 13. slither.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To skid
skid   (skĭd)   
n.  
  1. The act of sliding or slipping over a surface, often sideways.

    1. A plank, log, or timber, usually one of a pair, used as a support or as a track for sliding or rolling heavy objects.

    2. A pallet for loading or handling goods, especially one having solid sideboards and no bottom.

    3. One of several logs or timbers forming a skid road.

  2. skids Nautical A wooden framework attached to the side of a ship to prevent damage, as when unloading.

  3. A shoe or drag applying pressure to a wheel to brake a vehicle.

  4. A runner in the landing gear of certain aircraft.

  5. skids Slang A path to ruin or failure: His career hit the skids. Her life is now on the skids.

v.   skid·ded, skid·ding, skids

v.   intr.
  1. To slide sideways while moving because of loss of traction: The truck skidded on a patch of ice. See Synonyms at slide.

  2. To slide without revolving: wheels skidding on oily pavement.

  3. To move sideways in a turn because of insufficient banking. Used of an airplane.

v.   tr.
  1. To brake (a wheel) with a skid.

  2. To haul on a skid or skids.


[Perhaps of Scandinavian origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

skid

In addition to the idiom beginning with skid, also see on the skids; put the skids on; put the skids under.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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