Fish or cut bait

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Meaning

Decide to act or step aside, no dallying.

Origin

From 19th-century America, tied to fishing; fish or cut bait meant act, slang by 1870s in a Twain tale for do. A 1880s 'New York Times' uses it for a vote push.

Variants

  • Cut bait

Usage Examples

  • Fish or cut bait; join or leave.
  • He's got to fish or cut bait-decide!
  • Fish or cut bait; stop stalling.

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