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PEG HIM

English translation: Hit him with a thrown object

12:26 Mar 10, 2021
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: PEG HIM
Hello everybody!

I'm looking for an explanation of the verb "PEG". Here's the context:

[...]a voice called out from below.
“Ms. Aldren!” the voice called, louder now. “Hello, is that you?”
Holly frowned, [...] her eyes fell on the professor-looking detective. Complete with spectacles, silver hair, and perfect posture. His hands were clasped behind his back where he stood on the sidewalk, looking up at her.
She exhaled a defeated sigh through her nose.
“That the person in the place?” Edith asked.
“Different person, different place. Also trouble.”
Edith wiggled her wineglass. “Want to see if I can peg him?”
Holly smirked. “No. Thanks though.” She stood up, waving at the detective. “How can I help you, Detective Rogers?” she called.

[Edith is a dear friend of Holly and that man is approaching Holly; my assumption is that she wanted to ask her something like "want to see if I can send him away" or similar, but I can't find any corresponding definition of PEG].

Thanks!
Alice Perelli
Italy
Local time: 12:04
Selected answer:Hit him with a thrown object
Explanation:
To peg something is to hit it with a missile of some kind.
Selected response from:

kmtext
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:04
Grading comment
At first I considered this option unlikely either, but moving on with the novel we can find out that lady Edith is rather crude and rough in her manners and, apparently, she loves to defend herself (and her friend Holly) with a "heavy skillet":

" She glanced over to Edith, who said, in a conspiratorial voice, -If he tries anything squirrelly, kick him in the nuts and scream ‘fire!’ I’ll be over with my heavy skillet.- "

" Holly had often appreciated her part-time babysitter, full-time friend, but it had never completely dawned on her what a blessing it was to have her hunkered down next door, curly hair sticking out, heavy skillet clutched in hand. "

So I'd rather lean toward this option. Thanks everyone.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +1pin down who he is
Yvonne Gallagher
4 -1Hit him with a thrown object
kmtext


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
peg him
Hit him with a thrown object


Explanation:
To peg something is to hit it with a missile of some kind.

kmtext
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:04
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GaelicGaelic
PRO pts in category: 40
Grading comment
At first I considered this option unlikely either, but moving on with the novel we can find out that lady Edith is rather crude and rough in her manners and, apparently, she loves to defend herself (and her friend Holly) with a "heavy skillet":

" She glanced over to Edith, who said, in a conspiratorial voice, -If he tries anything squirrelly, kick him in the nuts and scream ‘fire!’ I’ll be over with my heavy skillet.- "

" Holly had often appreciated her part-time babysitter, full-time friend, but it had never completely dawned on her what a blessing it was to have her hunkered down next door, curly hair sticking out, heavy skillet clutched in hand. "

So I'd rather lean toward this option. Thanks everyone.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Yvonne Gallagher: don't believe that's the meaning here. "Peg" is transitive so you'd be saying "throw him". It's hit him (object) WITH something. Unlikely for someone who looks like a professor?
10 mins
neutral  philgoddard: Yvonne is wrong, and this is a possibility. Verb definition 5: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pegging
29 mins
neutral  AllegroTrans: I also find this unlikely
1 day 8 hrs
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
peg him
pin down who he is


Explanation:
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/have someone pegged

If you have someone pegged, you understand completely what they are like or who they are.

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Note added at 5 mins (2021-03-10 12:31:43 GMT)
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"peg someone
peg (one) as (something)
To believe or consider that one definitely is a certain type of person or thing.
I pegged her as a total bore when she first started working here, but since getting to know her, she's actually pretty interesting.
I'm disappointed, Jake—I never pegged you as a quitter."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2021-03-10 12:36:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/peg

to recognize or discover what something is; identify:
They had you pegged as a sucker the minute you walked in.

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Note added at 10 mins (2021-03-10 12:37:02 GMT)
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identify someone for who or what he is

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Note added at 4 days (2021-03-14 14:22:43 GMT)
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glad to help. Yes, clear to me that Edith has no idea who he is, nor what he is doing there

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 11:04
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 659
Notes to answerer
Asker: Exactly, Holly knows who he is, Edith doesn't. Thanks for the help!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Shelley Upton: Oddly enough, the book's called 'Sucker Punch'!
38 mins
  -> Many thanks:-)
disagree  kmtext: Holly already knows who he is
1 hr
  -> Edith doesn't and she asks the question. Anyway, it doesn't mean he can't be "pegged" e.g. find out his intentions, what he's doing there
neutral  philgoddard: This may be correct. Holly knows who he is, but Edith may not.
1 hr
  -> yes, I believe it is correct, and the first meaning I took from it in context.
agree  AllegroTrans
1 day 9 hrs
  -> Many thanks:-)
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