on the street
Slang Dictionary

on the street definition


  1. mod.
    using drugs; selling drugs; looking for drugs. (Drugs.) : Fred spent a year on the street before he was arrested.
  2. mod.
    engaged in prostitution. : Mary said, “What am I supposed to do—go on the street?” , All three of them went on the street to earn enough money to live.
  3. mod.
    widely known. : It's on the street. There isn't anyone who hasn't heard it.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

on the street

Also, in the street.

  1. Without a job, unemployed, as in After they fired her she was on the street for two years. [First half of 1900s]

  2. Without a regular place of residence, homeless, as in It's terrible to be on the street in winter. [Mid-1800s]

  3. Released from prison, as in One more year and he'll be back in the street. [First half of 1900s]

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