Spoil for


Be eager for, as in He’s just spoiling for a fight. This idiom nearly always refers to some kind of altercation. It may allude to spoil in the sense of “deteriorate over a period of time.” [ Mid-1800s ]

Read Also:

  • Spoil-ground

    noun 1. an area within a body of water, especially in the sea, where dredged material is deposited.

  • Spoils

    verb (used with object), spoiled or spoilt, spoiling. 1. to damage severely or harm (something), especially with reference to its excellence, value, usefulness, etc.: The water stain spoiled the painting. Drought spoiled the corn crop. 2. to diminish or impair the quality of; affect detrimentally: Bad weather spoiled their vacation. 3. to impair, damage, or […]

  • Spoilsman

    noun, plural spoilsmen. 1. a person who seeks or receives a share in political spoils. 2. an advocate of the spoils system in politics. noun (pl) -men 1. (US, politics) a person who shares in the spoils of office or advocates the spoils system

  • Spoilsport

    noun 1. a person whose selfish or unsportsmanlike attitudes or actions spoil the pleasure of others, as in a game or social gathering. noun 1. (informal) a person who spoils the pleasure of other people by his actions or attitudes

  • Spoils-system

    noun 1. the system or practice in which public offices with their emoluments and advantages are at the disposal of the victorious party for its own purposes. spoils system noun 1. (mainly US) the practice of filling appointive public offices with friends and supporters of the ruling political party Compare merit system spoils system definition […]


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