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# went to the glue factory

phrase (idiom, verb phrase, «went to the glue factory», «sent to the glue factory»)

«went to the glue factory» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, humorous) of an old horse: was killed and its body used for products such as glue.
2. (humorous, figurative) got rid of because too old, e.g. an old car or an old worker.

### In the lessons

A dark, jokey phrase from the old practice of using horse hooves and bones to make glue; heard in farm talk, cartoons and jokes in all English-speaking countries. Adults use it about old things or people being retired.

### Examples

- (farm story) The old carthorse went to the glue factory.
- (cartoon) "Work harder, or you'll go to the glue factory!"
- (joke) My old laptop is ready for the glue factory.
- (sport) The veteran player says he's not ready for the glue factory yet.
- (chat) my bike is going to the glue factory
- (history) Long ago, worn-out horses were sent to the glue factory.

### Note

Trap: dark humour about animals; may upset some people. Figuratively it means «too old to be useful». Modern glue is mostly not made from horses.