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• fritz
  fritz

  verb phrase

  to become inoperable.
• Fritz
  Fritz

  noun

  a German, especially a German soldier.

fritz

¹ American  

[frits] / frɪts /

verb phrase

1. fritz out to become inoperable.

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idioms

1. on the fritz, not in working order.

   Our TV went on the fritz last night.

Fritz ² American  

[frits] / frɪts /

noun

1. Older Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a German, especially a German soldier.

2. a male given name.

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fritz More Idioms  

1. see on the blink (fritz).

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Sensitive Note

Fritz was a nickname used by Allied soldiers for a German soldier during World War I and II.

Etymology

Origin of fritz¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; of obscure origin

Origin of Fritz²

1910–15; < German; common nickname for Friedrich

Example Sentences

Watch WSJ’s Ben Fritz sit down with Stanton to discuss his illustrious career, Pixar’s unique approach to filmmaking, and why its movies are so good at making you cry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his French Open title because of a wrist injury, while world number seven Taylor Fritz has been resting and rehabbing a long-term knee problem since March.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

To investigate this, researchers from the Department of Molecular Physics at the Fritz Haber Institute, along with collaborators from Leipzig and the United States, focused on a key molecular structure involved in this process.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

Assuming that’s the case, Neil Carbone, a trusts and estates partner at the law firm Farrell Fritz, P.C., believes that would be feasible.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Once in a while Fritz came by and said Daddy had worked long enough—and then they went fishing.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen