Meaning of on the dry | Babel Free

Definitions

temporarily refraining from drinking alcohol

British, Ireland, idiomatic, informal

Examples

“I bumped into an old mate of mine, Bill, the other day whom I was banged up with in 1972 in St Bernard's Hospital. He's on the dry now but he told me he has had several lapses since we left muttering that it was all going to be different tomorrow.”

“Then, maybe two weeks before cameras rolled, he'd put⟳ the blinkers on again and totally focus⟳ on it, and that included staying off the booze. 'I'm on the dry,' he'd announce⟳.”

“Jessie J hasn't had an alcoholic drink⟳ since October 15, 2012. The 'Wild' singer can remember⟳ the exact date⟳ she last⟳ touched booze and claims she only ever drinks on very special occasions because alcohol leaves her lethargic and she worries it might ruin her career.”

CEFR level