go for a burton
English
Etymology
Originated in the RAF in World War II. Unknown beyond that, but may have some association with beer.
Verb
go for a burton
- (Britain, of a person) To be killed
- (Britain, of a person or object) to be lost, spoiled or destroyed.
References
- “Go for a burton” in Michael Quinion, Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books in association with Penguin Books, 2004, →ISBN.