Showing results for "darbies"

• plural of darby.

darbies

American  

[dahr-beez] / ˈdɑr biz /

plural noun

British Slang.

1. handcuffs; manacles.

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darbies British  

/ ˈdɑːbɪz /

plural noun

1. short for handcuffs See handcuff

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Etymology

Origin of darbies

First recorded in 1565–75; probably from the phrase Darby's bonds a rigid bond, perhaps named after a noted 16th-century usurer

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

darbies

The great escapist simply banged the darbies on the pillar and walked off.

From Time Magazine Archive

Here, constables, put the darbies on 'em, and take 'em back to Hobarton.'

From The Book of the Bush Containing Many Truthful Sketches Of The Early Colonial Life Of Squatters, Whalers, Convicts, Diggers, And Others Who Left Their Native Land And Never Returned by J. Macfarlane

Being a bit to the good in strength, and knowing something about the game, downed him after a while and got the darbies on him.

From The Gem Collector by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse

D’ye think the young man will kill you all three, that you must put the darbies on so tight?”

From The Poacher Joseph Rushbrook by Frederick Marryat

"Oh, I'm dark, sir," was the answer; "he won't know me till I put the darbies on him."

From It Is Never Too Late to Mend by Charles Reade

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