goose
any of numerous wild or domesticated, web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, especially of the genera Anser and Branta, most of which are larger and have a longer neck and legs than the ducks.
a female bird of the family Anatidae, especially of genera Anser and Branta, as distinguished from the male, or gander.
the flesh of a bird of the family Anatidae, especially of genera Anser and Branta, used as food.
a silly or foolish person; simpleton.
Slang. a poke between the buttocks to startle.
Informal. anything that energizes, strengthens, or the like: to give the economy a badly needed goose.
a tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.
an obsolete board game played with dice and counters in which a player whose cast falls in a square containing the picture of a goose is allowed to advance double the number of their throw.
Slang. to poke (a person) between the buttocks to startle.
Informal.
to prod or urge to action or an emotional reaction: The promise of time off may goose the workers and increase profits.
to strengthen or improve (often followed by up): Let's goose up the stew with some wine.
to increase; raise (often followed by up): to goose up government loans in weak industries.
to give a spurt of fuel to (a motor) to increase speed.
Idioms about goose
cook someone's goose, Informal. to ruin someone's hopes, plans, chances, etc.: His goose was cooked when they found the stolen gems in his pocket.
Origin of goose
1Other words from goose
- gooselike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use goose in a sentence
He adds: "they lay eggs on our deck about the size of gooses, white with a large thick shell exactly round."
Life Aboard a British Privateer in the Time of Queen Anne | Robert C. LeslieHe would also delight his youthful audience by repeating a few of Mother Gooses Melodies, and they never tired of hearing him.
Cyrus W. Field; his Life and Work | Isabella Field JudsonThis he did—and thus Mother Gooses Melodies were brought forth.
The Only True Mother Goose Melodies | Munroe and FrancisIt has the shape of a gooses egg, but unlike that egg, does not taper to the ends.
The Bbur-nma in English | Babur, Emperor of HindustanHis hinder feet are like a Gooses and his fore-feet like an Apes.
British Dictionary definitions for goose (1 of 2)
/ (ɡuːs) /
any of various web-footed long-necked birds of the family Anatidae: order Anseriformes. They are typically larger and less aquatic than ducks and are gregarious and migratory: See also brent goose, barnacle goose, greylag, snow goose Related adjective: anserine
the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (gander)
informal a silly person
plural gooses a pressing iron with a long curving handle, used esp by tailors
the flesh of the goose, used as food
all his geese are swans he constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing
cook someone's goose informal
to spoil someone's plans
to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs to sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needs: See also golden goose
Origin of goose
1British Dictionary definitions for goose (2 of 2)
/ (ɡuːs) slang /
(tr) to prod (a person) playfully in the behind
a playful prod in the behind
Origin of goose
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for goose
One's chances are ruined: “After the recent disclosures of foul play, political analysts feel that the candidate's goose is now thoroughly cooked.”
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with goose
In addition to the idioms beginning with goose
- goose egg
- goose pimples
also see:
- cook someone's goose
- gone coon (goose)
- kill the goose that laid the golden eggs
- sauce for the goose
- wild goose chase
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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