First recorded in 1550–60; earlier bilbow < ?
1585–95; short for Bilboa blade sword made in Bilboa (variant of Bilbao )
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We shall come to bilbo and buff before long.
From Rob of the Bowl, Vol. I (of 2) A Legend of St. Inigoe's by Kennedy, John P.
I wear a bilbo by my side, as you can see.
From Micah Clarke His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734 by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir
Further arguments are needless; draw off; I shall speak to you now by the way of bilbo.
From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 04 by Scott, Walter, Sir
A Spanish bilbo, to lock the English by the legs.
From City Scenes or a peep into London by Darton, William
Castaldo calls the bilbo a “fated aspic,” upon the edge of which his “eye-balls crack to look,” and makes a raving exit from the stage, to a roaring laugh from the audience.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, September 5, 1841 by Various
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.
