on the bum
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Living as a vagrant; homeless.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I ask, how many of these hobos, who are on the bum, have the courage to ask for the drink?
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).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Not working; out of order.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “on the bum” mean?
Living as a vagrant; homeless.
Is “on the bum” formal or informal?
on the bum is generally slang.