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Another colorful expression from that British movie I mentioned earlier. The context of the quote here is that there are these guys trying to smuggle ecstasy pills, and there's another guy hosting their meeting in exchange for a below-the-table bribe, though he's not directly involved himself. The host is anxious and wants them to move on quickly from the spot he's providing, as he's a civilian -- he doesn't "want to get nicked." One of the smugglers retorts back to him, "Don't worry, you'll be in your whack", in what sounds like a Cockney English accent.

So my questions are: What does this phrase mean, exactly? What does the whack add to the meaning? Is it common amongst certain types of British English speakers?

3
  • I have only ever heard the word as synonym for kill or something bad. He wacked him - that is whack!
    – mplungjan
    Apr 10, 2011 at 7:12
  • What film is it? It might be able to help us answer you question.
    – sturner
    Apr 10, 2011 at 8:57
  • @sturner The name of the film is Layer Cake, starring Daniel Craig.
    – Uticensis
    Apr 10, 2011 at 17:46

1 Answer 1

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Green's Dictionary of Slang has in whack (with) as taking equal shares, and also whack as a share or portion. I think that is what is meant here; "you'll get your share".

Among the numerous other meanings of whack is also a prison sentence, and the phrase cop your whack means "to get your just deserts". Perhaps this sentence is a play on the multiple meanings; "you'll get your share of the good things - and the bad".

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