What it means
Short for nightmare, used when something’s an absolute faff or a plan has gone pear-shaped. You’ll hear What a mare or This is a mare after a chain of tiny disasters, like the train’s binned, your phone’s dying, and nothing works. Despite the spelling, it’s got nowt to do with horses, just everyday misery said with a shrug.
Usage examples
"Got to the station, train’s cancelled, phone’s on 1%, and the lad in front’s eating egg mayo like it’s aftershave. Absolute mare, I’m off to the chippy."
"The drive back was an absolute mare, three diversions and a flat tyre in the rain."
"I had a right mare at work today, the printer ate the report ten minutes before the meeting."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.