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

Fritz opens his 2026 campaign at the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth, leading Team USA alongside Coco Gauff, before the Australian Open in Melbourne from January 18.

From Barron's

World number six Taylor Fritz says he is battling a knee issue ahead of the Australian Open, spending much of the off-season trying to fix the problem.

From Barron's

Last year, American men's world number six Taylor Fritz said it was "absurd" he was only able to take one week off tennis before the 2025 season.

From BBC

Sympathy can be in short supply, though, given top players including Alcaraz and Fritz sign up to lucrative exhibition events.

From BBC

Likewise, many well-known geniuses like Billy Wilder, Otto Preminger and Fritz Lang, who were chased out of Europe by the Nazis, brilliantly exposed the hypocrisies and soul deadening conformity of mainstream American culture.

From Salon