IdiomDaily LifeEnglish

on the wagon

Meaning: To abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages because one cannot control oneself.

Example: “He's been on the wagon since his doctor's warning.”

Origin: From the American temperance movement of the late 19th century, originally "on the water wagon." Water carts sprayed dusty streets, and someone who had sworn off alcohol would sooner climb onto the water wagon than drink liquor.

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