on the brew
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
On the dole; receiving unemployment benefit.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"What do the Catholics do for work?"
"Go on the brew. You know the stayet. The Relief. Then they hang around the bars and the bookie shops. There's nothin' else they can do."
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “on the brew” mean?
On the dole; receiving unemployment benefit.
Is “on the brew” formal or informal?
on the brew is generally slang.