in the can

Idioms  

1. In the lavatory, as in He can't come to the phone; he's in the can . The related on the can means “sitting on the toilet.” The noun can is used for both the room and the toilet. [ Slang ; c. 1900]

2. Completed, as in About a hundred pages of her next book are in the can . This usage originated in filmmaking to describe a completed motion picture, when film was literally put into a can or canister. [ Slang ; c. 1930]

3. As an out-of-the-money finisher in a horse race, where a horse comes in fourth or worse. For example, He had no luck that day—every bet ended up in the can . [1960s]

---

Example Sentences

I felt that way about "Fallout" when I left it and everything was in the can.

From Salon • Aug. 24, 2024

With the group’s debut in the can, Weezer returned to L.A. in October 1993 determined to break in Bell as a full-fledged member of the band.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2024

We’ve done a couple things in the can and I’ve also worked along with Sue Ennis, who did a lot of Heart songwriting with me and Ann in the past.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 26, 2023

"There's a lot of stuff in the can which is pretty damn good," says Keith, "but it's not an album. It's just a lot of tracks."

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2023

He peered over the side and saw that in another instant he and everything in the can would be dumped into the big truck.

From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White