cans

noun

  1. 1

    A more or less cylindrical vessel for liquids, usually of steel or aluminium, but sometimes of plastic, and with a carrying handle over the top.

  2. 2

    A container used to carry and dispense water for plants (a watering can).

  3. 3

    A tin-plate canister, often cylindrical, for preserved foods such as fruit, meat, or fish.

  4. 4

    A chamber pot, now a toilet or lavatory.

    Bob's in the can. You can wait a few minutes or just leave it with me.
  5. 5

    Buttocks.

  6. 6

    Jail or prison.

    Bob's in the can. He won't be back for a few years.
  7. 7

    (in the plural) Headphones.

  8. 8

    A drinking cup.

  9. 9

    A cube-shaped buoy or marker used to denote a port-side lateral mark

  10. 10

    A chimney pot.

  11. 11

    (in the plural) an E-meter used in Scientology auditing.

Synonyms

verb

  1. 1

    To seal in a can.

    They canned air to sell as a novelty to tourists.
  2. 2

    To preserve by heating and sealing in a jar or can.

    They spent August canning fruit and vegetables.
  3. 3

    To discard, scrap or terminate (an idea, project, etc.).

    He canned the whole project because he thought it would fail.
  4. 4

    To shut up.

    Can your gob.
  5. 5

    To fire or dismiss an employee.

    The boss canned him for speaking out.
  6. 6

    To hole the ball.

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