shot with a shovel

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Adjective

shot with a shovel (not comparable)

1. (Ireland) Severely admonished; castigated.
   • 1867 February 16, Sarah Johnson Cogswell Whittlesey, “Bertha the beauty: A story of the southern revolution”, in The Field and Fireside, page 2:

     I don't approve of petticoat government, as a general thing, but I'll be shot with a shovel if it ain't necessary with fellows like Stanhope!

   • 2009, Cathy Kelly, What She Wants, page 490:

     I'll kill him for leaving you here all on your own. He should be shot with a shovel for thinking it's right to go off and leave you ...

   • 2015 September, Mark Barry, “David Bowie - Five Years 1969-1973”, in Vine Voice:

     I'm probably going to be shot with a shovel for this but I've always thought 1972's "Ziggy Stardust" was a lesser album than 1971's "Hunky Dory" – but personal opinions aside - you can't argue that the 2012 Remaster isn’t anything but a wonder.