barrelhead

American  

[bar-uhl-hed] / ˈbær əlˌhɛd /

noun

1. either of the round, flat sections that form the top and bottom of a barrel.

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idioms

1. on the barrelhead, in advance or on demand.

   They won't deliver the merchandise unless we pay cash on the barrelhead.

Etymology

Origin of barrelhead

First recorded in 1830–40; barrel + head

Example Sentences

For the small fry, that kind of cash on the barrelhead is a huge inducement: if they hang on and sell their liquor themselves, they are liable to excess-profits taxes running up to 90%.

From Time Magazine Archive

The money would be cash on the barrelhead, said Ratliff, where the Times-Star offered only $1,250,000 down.

From Time Magazine Archive

Canada pays cash on the barrelhead for U.S. goods.

From Time Magazine Archive

For $8,500,000 on the barrelhead, plus enough crude to net Sinclair a tidy profit, Mexico could have the whole Sinclair properties with no legalistic strings attached.

From Time Magazine Archive

She paid for the whole thing cash on the barrelhead!

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis