wet the shamrock

Definitions

To go for an alcoholic drink, especially as part of a victory celebration or on Saint Patrick's Day.

Ireland, idiomatic, informal, intransitive

Examples

“The Meadovv Trefoyls are called in Iriſh Shamrocks, […] The VVord Seamar Leaune and Seamar-orge, being in ſignification the ſame, […] This Plant⟳ is vvorn by the People in their Hats upon the 17. Day of March⟳ yearly, (vvhich is called St. Patrick’s Day.) […] Hovvever that be, vvhen they vvet their Seamar-oge, they often commit Exceſs in Liquor, vvhich is not a right keeping of a Day to the Lord; Error generally leading to Debauchery.”

“In the days of our forefathers it was always customary to wet⟳ the shamrock, and indeed this good old custom has by no means become⟳ obsolete. And to carry⟳ it into effect, the saint's [Saint Patrick's] health is drunk in the morning from a brimming bowl called "Paddy's pot," which has a very inspiring influence⟳, and is considered to be an excellent preliminary for the joys of the day; […]”

“He [Caleb Threlkeld] refers to the custom of wetting the shamrock.”

“We remembered friends at home in our potations, wet⟳ the shamrock, and sang the "Wearing of the Green."”

“St. Patrick's Day passed off very quietly indeed, partly owing to the uncertainty of the weather. A number⟳ of the militia men wetted the shamrock so much that they forgot the legitimate use⟳ of their weapons, and employed them in knocking people on the head. A few threw their rifles away.”

“Given long-standing drinking customs among the Irish at home and abroad, temperance was a difficult prospect. Traditions such as drinking to the health of Ireland and the patron saint, as well as the renowned ‘wetting the shamrock’ held considerable sway on St Patrick's Day.”

“[T]he crowd drifted away towards the hotel in search⟳ of something to wet⟳ the shamrock and warm themselves up. Unlike America, there was no green beer and no one I knew would dream⟳ of adding anything to their pint unless it was to tip⟳ in a shot of whiskey.”

CEFR level