on the blink

== English == === Etymology === Presumably from an appliance with poor electrical connection blinking from intermittent connection. === Pronunciation === === Prepositional phrase === on the blink (UK, Australia, informal) Usually of a mechanical or electrical device, functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well. ==== Synonyms ==== (malfunctioning): on the fritz ==== Translations ==== === References === “on the blink” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman. “on the blink”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.