Phrase guide

paint the wagon

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To get things done.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • John, you still haven’t closed that deal; you need to paint that wagon now!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Business jargon, based on the title song of the 1951 Broadway musical Paint Your Wagon, I'm on my wayhttp://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/paintyourwagon/paintyourwagonimonmyway.htm: : Gotta dream boy : Gotta song : Paint your wagon : And come along