[Vocabulary] the worse for drink

[hhtt21]

Would you please explain the meaning of "the worse for drink"?

"Mind your own business, you impudent young rascal, and I'll mind mine!" The man was in a towering passion and the worse for drink, and laid on the whip again."

https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/125/blac...r own business, you,of the master brick-maker.

 

[probus]

It's an old-fashioned euphemism for drunk or at least tipsy. I haven't seen or heard it for many years.

 

[emsr2d2]

We still use "the worse for wear" in BrE with the same meaning.