Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective idiomatic Abstaining from drinking any alcoholic drink, usually in the sense of having given it up (as opposed to never having partaken).
  • adjective By extension, maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Early 20th century American temperance movement. Originally “on the water wagon” or “on the water cart”, referring to carts used to hose down dusty roads.

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Examples

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