ink
(redirected from inky)Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to inky: thunderbird
(as) black as ink
1. Completely black; totally without light or color. The basement gives me the creeps, it's as black as ink down there! A: "I can't believe that Grandma's hair used to be black as ink." B: "Well, sure—you've only ever known her with gray hair." My hands were black as ink after working on that filthy engine all day.
2. Of a thoroughly evil, mean-spirited, or ungenerous mindset or disposition. She narrowed her eyes, and I could tell her thoughts had turned as black as ink. Whoever masterminded this heinous prank must be black as ink. Looking into his eyes, I saw his heart was as black as ink.
(as) gay as pink ink
Overtly or flamboyantly homosexual. Offensive when used pejoratively. I can't believe Sarah asked him out on a date—how can she not see that he's clearly as gay as pink ink? I've been gay as pink ink since I was a teenager, so it wasn't a surprise to my parents when I came out.
be bleeding red ink
To be struggling financially, as of a business; to be consistently losing money. Red ink was traditionally used when indicating withdrawals from a business account. If our company is still bleeding red ink like this at the end of the quarter, we'll be in real danger of going bankrupt. We don't feel confident investing in your company when it's so clearly bleeding red ink. I don't want to lay off any employees, but with the way the business has been bleeding red ink, I don't have much choice.
before the ink is dry
Immediately after some deal, agreement, piece of legislation, etc., has been formally approved or finalized. The country is trying to evade its responsibilities under the international agreement before the ink is even dry! You can do what you like, but it looks pretty bad to start a new relationship before the ink is dry on your divorce. Of course the township is trying to shake us down for money before the ink is even dry on the deed to the house!
bleed red ink
To be struggling financially, as of a business; to be consistently losing money. Red ink was traditionally used when indicating withdrawals from a business account. If our company continues to bleed red ink, we'll be in real danger of going bankrupt. Because of all the lawsuits, the business has been bleeding money out for the past year. I don't think it will be able to survive if things don't improve. Get the accountant in here to tell us why we've been bleeding red ink for the past two quarters!
don't dip your pen in (the) company ink
vulgar slang Do not have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone you work with. Do you really think it's a good idea to date your boss? I'm a big believer in "don't dip your pen into the company ink." A: "I've been flirting with Matt from accounting for a few weeks now." B: "Be careful. Don't dip your pen into company ink." But if you guys break up, you'll still have to see and work with him all the time. That's why my motto is, Don't dip your pen in the company ink.
get inked
slang To get a tattoo. Whoa, nice tattoo, Sarah! When did you get inked? Everyone in our platoon got inked together as a symbol of our lifelong fraternity. I really don't think Molly and her idiot boyfriend should get inked with each other's initials—especially since they break up every few weeks!
get some ink
slang To get a tattoo. My little sister wants to get some ink, but I'm trying to talk her out of it. Did you get some new ink? Let me see! Hey, it doesn't matter to me if you get a tattoo. I'm just saying you might regret it someday.
in ink
In pen, as opposed to pencil. The teacher says that we're not allowed to do our math homework in ink. You need to sign this in ink—here's a pen. Can you find me another pen? This one isn't working and I have to fill this form out in ink.
See also: ink
ink
slang
1. noun A tattoo. Whoa, nice ink, Sarah! When did you get it done? Everyone in our platoon got ink together as a symbol of our lifelong fraternity. A: "Mom is going to freak out when she sees your new ink!" B: "That's why I only packed long-sleeved shirts—so she'll never have to know. At least not this weekend, anyway."
2. noun Coverage or publicity, as in print media like newspapers or magazines. There has been so much ink dedicated to the topic already. Can't we cover something else this week? As a celebrity, the last thing you want is for the ink to dry up. A: "Is there really no such think as bad ink?" B: "Yes! The more people are interested in you, the better—who cares if they love you or hate you?"
3. verb To tattoo (someone or something). Often used in passive constructions. I'm getting my family crest inked on my shoulder. The artist who inked me has done tattoos for celebrities all over the world. I really don't think Molly and her idiot boyfriend should get inked with each other's initials—especially since they break up every few weeks!
4. verb To sign one's name to (something); to formalize and seal something, as a deal or contract. Before we ink the contract, I want my lawyer to have a look at the details. The paperwork should be inked by Friday. I'm not willing to ink a new deal unless it includes a no-trade clause.
ink in
1. To fill in or cover a blank area with ink. A noun or pronoun can be used between "ink" and "in." Now that I've outlined the cartoon character, I'll ink it in with these markers. Can you please be quiet? I'm trying to ink in this very delicate pattern. My recommendation would be to use pencil first and ink it in later.
2. To write something with a pen. A noun or pronoun can be used between "ink" and "in." Geez, there's so much paperwork here that I'll be inking in my name all day! The teacher said she doesn't want us to ink in the answers on our math homework, in case we make a mistake. Once you're done inking in your initials, I can process your paperwork.
See also: ink
ink-slinger
slang A writer, especially one who produces a large amount of low-quality material for a living. I spent a lot of time after college as an ink-slinger for various newspapers and magazines while working on my first novel. When I dreamed of being a journalist, I thought I'd be writing pieces of substance. Instead, I'm just a lowly ink-slinger. Even though I'm an ink-slinger now, I still do aspire to write the Great American Novel.
much ink has been spilled
People have written a vast amount (about a certain topic). Typically followed by "on/over/about (something)." Following the scandal, much ink has been spilled about the country's history in dealing with corporate crime. Although much ink has been spilled on the topic, there has sadly been little action at a legislative level.
never dip your pen into the company's ink
vulgar slang Do not have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone you work with. "Pen" is a reference to one's penis. Do you really think it's a good idea to date your boss? I'm a big believer that you should never dip your pen into the company's ink.
paper never refused ink
People are able to write whatever they want, however inaccurate or misleading. A: "It seems like all manner of nonsense is being printed these days." B: "Well, paper never refused ink!"
pen and ink
slang To smell foul. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "pen and ink" rhymes with "stink." Primarily heard in UK. I really pen and ink after a hard session at the gym.
red ink
Financial debts or losses. We don't feel confident investing in your company when there is so much red ink in your books. If our we're still bleeding red ink like this at the end of the quarter, we'll be in real danger of going bankrupt.
the ink isn't dry (on something)
A deal, agreement, piece of legislation, etc., has only just been formally approved or finalized. Used to highlight the suspicious or undue haste of an action or activity following some formal outcome. The ink wasn't dry on the wealthy media magnate's death certificate when legal battles began over his estate. You can tell that the dope they hired to represent them has no clue what he's doing. I mean, his law degree is so new that the ink isn't dry. You can do what you like, but it looks pretty bad to start a new relationship when the ink isn't even dry on your divorce.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in ink
written or signed with a pen that uses ink, not with a pencil. You should write your report in ink. You must sign your checks in ink.
See also: ink
ink something in
1. to fill in an outline with ink. Please ink the drawing in with care. Ink in the drawing carefully.
2. to write something in ink. Please ink your name in on the dotted line. Now, ink in your signature on this line right here.
See also: ink
red ink
Fig. debt; indebtedness as shown in red ink on a financial statement. There is too much red ink in my financial statement. Too much red ink and the company will collapse.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
be bleeding red ink
JOURNALISMIf a company is bleeding red ink, it has severe financial problems. Even large companies are bleeding red ink. The company reported huge losses for the year ended March 31, but vowed that after three straight years of bleeding red ink, the worst is behind them. Note: This expression comes from the practice in the past of using red ink to fill in entries on the debit side of a book of accounts.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
much ˌink has been ˈspilled (on/over something)
a lot has been written about something: Much ink has been spilled on the life of Shakespeare.red ˈink
(business) debts, losses or money that is owed: The company opened the fiscal year with $315.9 million in red ink. ♢ The health care industry is bleeding red ink (= losing a lot of money).Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
(as) gay as pink ink
mod. having to do with an obviously homosexual person, usually a male. These two guys—as gay as pink ink—came in together.
gay as pink ink
verbink
1. n. cheap red wine. The old wino prefers ink to anything else.
2. n. publicity; print media coverage of someone or something. The movie star’s divorce got a lot of ink for a few days.
3. n. a tattoo. (The same as paint.) When dya get the new ink?
4. n. tattoos in general; the amount of tattooing on someone’s body. (The same as paint.) He’s got ink covering his back.
ink slinger
n. a professional writer; a newspaper reporter. The ink slingers have been at the candidates again.
red ink
n. debt; indebtedness as shown in red ink on a financial statement. There is too much red ink in my financial statement.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.