bucket of bolts
Decrepit old car
A bucket of bolts is a rickety, unreliable machine—usually a car, truck, or aircraft that's old, worn out, and barely functional.
The image suggests something so decrepit it might fall apart into loose hardware: That old bucket of bolts broke down again.
The phrase is mildly affectionate when applied to one's own vehicle, dismissive when applied to someone else's.
Quick overview of facts
- decrepitWorn by age
- ramshackleBadly deteriorated from neglect
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
- rustyCorroded or unpracticed
battered · worn · clunky · rattling · sputtering · wheezing · clanking · jalopy
Toothed rotating machine parts
- nutsSeeds in shells
- sprocketsToothed wheels for chains
- cogsProjections on a wheel
- pistonsForce-transferring engine cylinders
engine · crankshaft · bearings · wrench · hydraulics · valves · transmission · clutch
Old and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- outdatedNo longer in use
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- obsoleteNo longer in use
discontinued · defunct · decommissioned · mothballed · dinosaur · relic · museum piece · past its prime
Quality from past eras
- classicOf lasting excellence
- retroEvoking recent past
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- memoriesStored past experiences
heirloom · bygone · sentimental · throwback · treasured · old-fashioned · collectible · timeless
Arousing fondness or affection
- lovableInspiring warm feelings
- charmingPleasantly attractive in manner
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- personalityCharacteristic mental patterns
faithful · reliable · trusty · dependable · loyal · sentimental · beloved · old friend
rundown
Quick overview of facts
- decrepitWorn by age
- ramshackleBadly deteriorated from neglect
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
rusty · battered · worn · clunky · rattling · sputtering · wheezing · clanking · jalopy · clunker
gears
Toothed rotating machine parts
pistons · engine · crankshaft · bearings · wrench · hydraulics · valves · transmission · clutch · grease
antiquated
Old and outdated
obsolete · discontinued · defunct · decommissioned · mothballed · dinosaur · relic · museum piece · past its prime · seen better days
vintage
Quality from past eras
memories · heirloom · bygone · sentimental · throwback · treasured · old-fashioned · collectible · timeless · character
endearing
Arousing fondness or affection
- lovableInspiring warm feelings
- charmingPleasantly attractive in manner
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
personality · faithful · reliable · trusty · dependable · loyal · sentimental · beloved · old friend · character
bucket of boltswell-oiled machine
Flawlessly coordinated working system
in mint condition · roadworthy · workhorse · precision instrument · cherry
bucket of boltsluxury car
Expensive, high-end automobile
dream car · Rolls-Royce · luxury vehicle · limousine · sports car
bucket of boltsstate-of-the-art
Most technologically advanced available
engineering marvel · cutting-edge · next-generation · futuristic
bucket, buckets, bucketed, bucketing, bucketful, bucketfuls, bolt, bolts, bolted