Black as Newgate's knocker meaning
What does the saying 'Black as Newgate's knocker' mean?
Idiom: Black as Newgate's knocker
Meaning:
If things are as black as Newgate's knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its door knocker meant trouble.
Country: British English 
|
Subject Area: Colours |
Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
All idioms have been editorially reviewed, and submitted idioms may have been edited for correctness and completeness.
« Previous: Black and white
Next: Black hole »
Similar Idioms
- Jet-black
- Black hole
- In the black
- Black sheep
- Black and white
- Pot calling the kettle black
- Beyond the black stump
- On the knocker
- On the knocker
- Black will take no other hue
- Black and blue
Idiom eBooks from UsingEnglish.com
Download our curated lists of idioms in PDF format - perfect to use offline for reference or for use in class!
If you have a question about idioms, ask us about it in our Idioms Discussion Forum.
If you know of an idiom that you would like to be listed here, please use our online form to suggest an idiom.
See also:
- View examples in Google: Black as Newgate's knocker
- Idiom Quizzes