up the spout
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Broken; not functional or workable; kaput.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I think the left speaker is up the spout.
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
In the chamber, having an ammunition round in a weapon's chamber.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
Pregnant.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “up the spout” mean?
Broken; not functional or workable; kaput.
Is “up the spout” formal or informal?
up the spout is generally slang.