bail up
Meaning
- To hold up and rob someone, as bushrangers did; 'Bail up!' was their command to stop.
- To corner or detain someone, especially in a long conversation.
- To secure a cow's head in a bail for milking.
Example
Sorry I'm late, Kev bailed me up in the car park for half an hour.
Origin
From 'bail', the wooden frame used to secure a cow's head during milking.
Variants
bail, bailed up