ACROSS LOTS, adv. phr. (American).—1. By the shortest way; (2) = completely.
1838. J. C. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches, i. 35, ‘Fydget Fyxington.’ [To a grumbler]:—‘You … would cut ACROSS THE LOT like a streak of lightning if you had a chance.’
1848. J. R. LOWELL, The Biglow Papers.
| Joe looked roun’ | |
| And see (ACROST LOTS in a pond) … | |
| A goose that on the water sot | |
| Ez ef awaitin’ to be shot. |
1857. BRIGHAM YOUNG, Speech [BARTLETT]. I swore in Nauvoo, when my enemies were looking me in the face, that I would send them to hell ACROSS LOTS if they meddled with me.
1887. Scribner’s Magazine. ‘I didn’t see Crossby go by.’ ‘He’d have had to foot it by the path CROSS-LOTS,’ replied Ezra, gravely.
1902. LYNCH, High Stakes, xxxii. A person leaving … by this footway ‘ACROSS LOTS,’ so to speak, can only reach the other street by going through Madame C.’s house.
