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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.

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.

fritz More Idioms  

  1. see on the blink (fritz).

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

“It’s not Bitcoin versus gold,” insists Fritz, who says that “we’re quite happy” about the performance divergence.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Even while dealing with injuries in 2025, the seventh-ranked Fritz reached his first Wimbledon semifinal and won titles in Eastbourne and Stuttgart.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

The Chrises and Fritz were at the house when they got back.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.