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09-02-2007
one term
Jul 14, 2008 07:35
16 yrs ago
English term

bolt stiff

Non-PRO English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
She swung the gun around at the other two skinheads, stretching her arms out, bolt stiff.

what does it mean by "bolt stiff"?
Responses
4 +3 Straight out and tense
4 as stiff as a bolt

Responses

+3
10 mins
Selected

Straight out and tense

I've never seen this usage before, but presumably it comes from "(sit) bolt upright" which means that someone is sitting straight up, and tense, often as a result of being surprised or offended.
Peer comment(s):
agree Jack Doughty : Possible. I've never seen it either.
6 mins
Mòran taing, Jack.
agree Marie Scarano : well - bolts are pretty stiff! perhaps also implying quick as a bolt of lightening ?
49 mins
Mòran taing, Marie.
agree Patricia Townshend (X)
2 hrs
Mòran taing
agree Demi Ebrite : I have never seen this expression either, there is no shooting stance called 'bolt stiff', but I do get the picture when reading it ~
4 hrs
Mòran taing
disagree Liam Hamilton : it refers to an iron bolt (noun) not to bolt (verb)
12 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "thank you very much. this author always use this kind of strange expression :-)"
12 hrs

as stiff as a bolt

this seems t refer to the subjects arm being very stiffly held - as stiif as an (iron) bolt
Though I have never heard the expression before!
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