GO FOR A BURTON

Verb phrs. To break or become inoperative. Originally meaning dead or lost in action, from the RAF during the Second World War. The etymology is unproven although there are various speculations, including a connection with an advertising poster campaign for a beer of the period, namely Burtons. Most likely to be heard in the past sense, as 'gone for a burton'. E.g."I'm afraid we can't watch the football match tonight, my TV's gone for a burton." [1940s]