raffle


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couldn't organise a chook raffle

(Someone) is utterly incompetent or unable to arrange things successfully; (someone) can't even manage or carry out the simplest of tasks. ("Chook" is an informal term for a hen or chicken.) Primarily heard in Australia. I'm not surprised Marie's event was a disaster—she couldn't organise a chook raffle! The leaders of this country couldn't organise a chook raffle, let alone overhaul the entire tax code! No wonder the strike failed. Those dipsticks couldn't organise a chook raffle!
See also: chook, organise, raffle

couldn't organise a chook raffle at a poultry farm

(Someone) is utterly incompetent or unable to arrange things successfully; (someone) can't even manage or carry out the simplest of tasks. ("Chook" is an informal term for a hen or chicken.) Primarily heard in Australia. I'm not surprised Marie's event was a disaster—she couldn't organise a chook raffle at a poultry farm! The leaders of this country couldn't organise a chook raffle at a poultry farm, let alone overhaul the entire tax code! No wonder the strike failed. Those dipsticks couldn't organise a chook raffle at a poultry farm!
See also: chook, farm, organise, raffle

couldn't organise a chook raffle in a (country) pub

(Someone) is utterly incompetent or unable to arrange things successfully; (someone) can't even manage or carry out the simplest of tasks. ("Chook" is an informal term for a hen or chicken.) Primarily heard in Australia. I'm not surprised Marie's event was a disaster—she couldn't organise a chook raffle in a country pub! The leaders of this country couldn't organise a chook raffle in a country pub, let alone overhaul the entire tax code! No wonder the strike failed. Those dipsticks couldn't organise a chook raffle in a pub!
See also: chook, organise, pub, raffle

couldn't raffle a chook in a pub

(Someone) is utterly incompetent or unable to arrange things successfully; (someone) can't even manage or carry out the simplest of tasks. ("Chook" is an informal term for a hen or chicken.) Primarily heard in Australia. I'm not surprised Marie's event was a disaster—she couldn't raffle a chook in a pub! The leaders of this country raffle a chook in a local pub, let alone overhaul the entire tax code! No wonder the strike failed. Those dipsticks couldn't raffle a chook in a pub!
See also: chook, pub, raffle

raffle off (something)

To give something away as the prize of a raffle. (A raffle is a lottery in which a number is drawn at random that corresponds to one given to a participant.) As part of the fundraiser, our church is raffling off a brand new jet ski. We raffled off 10 tickets to the latest Broadway musical to help pay for our trip to Rome.
See also: off, raffle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

raffle something off

to give something away by a drawing or raffle. They will raffle a television set off. They are going to raffle off a television set this weekend at the school.
See also: off, raffle
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

raffle off

v.
To offer something as a prize in a lottery in which a number of persons buy chances to win: The theater is raffling off tickets to its upcoming plays. The school raffled a new car off to raise money for a new swimming pool.
See also: off, raffle
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in classic literature ?
But Raffles had the grace to give in with a laugh, whereas I too often lost my temper with my point.
I passed the time with one restless eye upon the clock, and the other on the Tantalus which Raffles ruthlessly declined to unlock.
The latter qualm I had the temerity to confess to Raffles; nor have I often loved him more than when he freely admitted it to be the most natural feeling in the world.
Constitutionally shy of the direct approach, Raffles was further deterred by a ball in full swing at the Empress Rooms, whence potential witnesses were pouring between dances into the cool deserted street.
"That's a bit of a bore," said Raffles. "The ladies have been out somewhere - trust them to spoil the show!
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He looked sternly at Raffles, and Raffles looked merrily at him.
"What!" cried Raffles, "simply saying to my friend that I'd like to lift the gold cup?
"Exactly; and I say what I feel, that's all," said Raffles airily.
Raffles studied his face; he was still watching Raffles; and I kept an eye on them both without putting in my word.
"You appear to be single-handed," observed Raffles. "Is that wise?"
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"Exactly," said Raffles, nodding to himself, as though in assent to some hidden train of thought; "exactly what I remember of you, and I'll bet it's as true now as it was ten years ago.
"Then I must; but I'm bound to say I don't like the idea, Raffles."
Meanwhile Raffles rejoined me, with a covert coat over his blazer, and a soft felt hat set carelessly on the curly head he shook with a smile as I passed him the decanter.
"You see, I'm known to the police," laughed Raffles as we passed on.
Raffles was gazing up at some windows across the road, windows barely discernible through the mist, and without the glimmer of a light to throw them out.
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