Phrase guide

take the shilling

verb · 3 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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  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /teɪk ðə ˈʃɪlɪŋ/
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪlɪŋ

1

verb

Meaning 1

To enlist as a soldier in the British army or navy by accepting a shilling from a recruiting officer.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, historical, intransitive

Topics: government, military, politics, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To enlist as a soldier of any military force; to join the armed forces.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, dated, intransitive

Topics: government, military, politics, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To be on the payroll of an organization; to work for an organization.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, intransitive

Qualifier: generally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

A reference to the practice during the 18th and 19th century of a recruiting officer getting a person to enlist in the British Army or Royal Navy by accepting (or being tricked into accepting) a shilling, which was then a soldier’s daily pay. The practice was officially ended in 1879.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: värväytyä šillingistä — to enlist as a soldier in the British army or navy by accepting a shilling from a recruiting officer
  • Welsh: cymryd swllt y Brenin — to enlist as a soldier in the British army or navy by accepting a shilling from a recruiting officer
  • Welsh: cymryd swllt y Frenhines — to enlist as a soldier in the British army or navy by accepting a shilling from a recruiting officer
  • Welsh: listio yn y fyddin — to enlist as a soldier in the British army or navy by accepting a shilling from a recruiting officer
  • Finnish: olla palkkalistoilla — to be on the payroll of an organization