on the bum

prepositional phrase3

1. •
   (US, slang) Living as a vagrant; homeless.

   • I ask, how many of these hobos, who are on the bum, have the courage to ask for the drink? — 1870
2. •
   (US, slang) Not working; out of order.

   • My typewriter's on the bum—and I'm just lost. One gets so used to one that you're very dependent. — 1927
3. •
   (US, no longer used) On a drinking spree.