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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.

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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

See Examples For:

fritz Fritz

But when Pína and Hawk arrive, their presence throws a wrench in a union that’s already on the fritz.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

But collectively, they show a country and a world order that are on the fritz.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

But like every machine I've ever owned, it goes on the fritz.

From BBC ● Nov. 30, 2023

When his helmet radio went on the fritz, the Bengals quarterback temporarily had to call the plays.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2023

His shirtsleeves are rolled up, which doesn’t solve much: the air-conditioning is on the fritz and the air on the plane is overheated.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Fritz Miot and Laila Doe are two foreign nationals who have lived in the United States for decades thanks to the TPS program.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

With that process continuing, hill protector Catherine Fritz, 69, strolled past the homes last month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

"I don't know if I want to start throwing around the 'b-word'," American world number eight Taylor Fritz said.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

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

In 1962, a Haitian Anglican priest named Fritz Lafontant built a primary school for local children.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French