beer muscles

Noun

beer muscles pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic, plural, plural-only) An aggressive attitude resulting from consumption of an alcoholic beverage.
   • Many people, especially after a few beers, grow “beer muscles” and are ready to fight for any reason.1979 July 14, “Letters: Summing Up Summerfest and Planning Ahead”, in Milwaukee Journal, retrieved 03 Jan 2010, page 10
   • The show has become a come-on for drunks to flex their beer muscles.1999 June 18, Phil Mushnick, “In-Arena Shows Are Big Turnoff”, in New York Post, page 94

   Synonyms:

   bravado, beer baby, beer belly, beer gut, German goiter, Molson muscle

2. (humorous, idiomatic, plural, plural-only) A protruding stomach, supposedly indicative of excessive consumption of beer.
   • Grothers Gribble, Berger, Wolf, Shadwill and the writer are still nursing their “beer muscles.” I mean German goitres.1939, American Flint, volume 28, page 41
   • “You can't find a better-tasting beer,” said Farmer Cheatle, a resident who was losing a battle to hold in a bulging belly he called “beer muscles”.1982 September 2, “Brewing firms says small is better”, in Milwaukee Sentinel, retrieved 03 Jan 2010
3. (plural, plural-only) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see beer, muscles.