~ 1
■ noun
1》 a small cut or notch.
2》 ( the ~ ) Brit. informal prison.
↘a police station.
3》 the junction between the floor and side walls in a squash court.
■ verb
1》 make a ~ or ~s in.
2》 Brit. informal steal (something).
↘( ~ someone for ) N. Amer. informal cheat someone of.
3》 Brit. informal arrest (someone).
Phrases
in —— ~ Brit. informal in a specified condition.
in the ~ of time only just in time.
Origin
ME: of unknown origin.
————————
~ 2
■ verb Austral./NZ informal go quickly or surreptitiously.
↘( ~ off ) depart; go away.
Origin
C19: prob. a figurative use of ~ 1 in the sense 'to steal'.