Wiktionary

drop the writ

English

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Etymology

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Compression of draw up the writ.[1][2] "Writ" means a writ of election issued by the Governor that initiates a parliamentary election.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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drop the writ (third-person singular simple present drops the writ, present participle dropping the writ, simple past and past participle dropped the writ)

  1. (Canada, idiomatic) To call a federal or provincial election.
    • 2000 October 22, Allison Dunfield, “Chrétien calls election for Nov. 27”, in Globe and Mail, Toronto:
      Mr. Chrétien visited Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson and asked her to drop the writ, meaning that for the next 36 days, Canada will be hit with election fever.

Usage notes

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Formally, "draws the writ" or "Issues the writ(s)."

References

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  1. ^ Statutes of the Province of Manitoba, Manitoba: Queen's Printer, 1887, p. 148.
  2. ^ Robert Allen (1841), The Practice of the Common Law Courts, and Practical Lawyer's Pocket Book, London, England: John Richards and Co., Law Booksellers, &c., p. 82.
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