have a cob on

English

Alternative forms

• have got a cob on

Etymology

Unknown. Perhaps from cob (“male swan”), noted for its ill-temper. Compare have a corncob up one's arse (“to be ill-tempered”).

Verb

have a cob on (third-person singular simple present has a cob on, present participle having a cob on, simple past and past participle had a cob on)

1. (Northern England, Liverpool) to be in a bad mood; be grumpy