one under

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

one under (plural one unders)

1. (rail transport, slang, British) A person under a train; a person hit by a train after jumping or falling in front of it.
   • 2002, "Tube Troll", ">Incident @ Hangar lane tube <", uk.transport.london [1]

     The twist in this tale is that the driver (who was at the back and hadn't seen anything) booked off with stress (as drivers often do after a one under) and the guard who had been driving and witnessed the whold [sic] traumatic event had to creep into work the next day and pretend that nothing had happned...

   • 2004, "Joe", "TV Alert: BBC3 9pm Trauma TONIGHT", uk.railway [2]

     About a one under on the Northern line.

   • 2005, "Neilw001", "'One under'", uk.transport.london [3]

     I've been on a train when some [sic] has gone under. Actually heard the thump and then the driver on the radio saying "I've got one under".

Usage notes

• Used primarily in relation to incidents on London Underground, but is also used for other railways in the UK.

Synonyms

• person under train (London Underground, official)
• track pizza (New York)