chuck-farthing
Definition
- Noun:
- A game of skill and chance: "chuck-farthing" is a traditional game in which a coin (originally a farthing) is thrown or "chucked" at a target, often a hole in the ground or a board, with the aim of landing on or near the target to win points or money.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The children spent the afternoon playing chuck-farthing in the alley. (A coin-tossing game for amusement.)
- In the 18th century, chuck-farthing was a popular pastime among the working class. (A historical recreational activity.)
Advanced Usage
- "to play at chuck-farthing": to engage in the game.
- The boys would often play at chuck-farthing for pennies. (They would participate in the coin-tossing game for small stakes.)
Variants and Related Words
- Chuck (v): to throw or toss casually.
- He chucked the stone into the pond. (He threw it lightly.)
- Farthing (n): a former British coin worth one quarter of a penny.
- He found an old farthing in the drawer. (A small, obsolete coin.)
Synonyms
- Pitch-and-toss: a similar game where coins are thrown at a target.
- Toss-up: a game of chance involving flipping a coin.
Phrasal Verbs
- Chuck in: to give up or abandon something.
- He decided to chuck in his job and travel. (He quit his job.)
- Chuck out: to discard or throw away.
- She chucked out the old newspapers. (She disposed of them.)
Related Idioms
- Not worth a farthing: something of little or no value.
- His promise is not worth a farthing. (His promise is worthless.)
- Chuck a wobbly: to become very angry or upset (British slang).
- He chucked a wobbly when he lost the game. (He had a tantrum.)