army volunteer

present singular third person army volunteers · participle present army volunteering · participle past army volunteered · past army volunteered · alternative army-volunteer

1. idiomaticrareTo make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to do.

   "She 'army volunteered' me," he says. "She said, 'You called; you're on the committee.'"

   1994 May, Elaine Yaffe, “Not Just Cupcakes Anymore: A Study of Community Involvement”, in Phi Delta Kappan, volume 75, number 9

   2 more examples

   It was dreadful. Especially when it was raining -- the whole performance of getting all the plastic hoods off the double buggy, then trying to womanhandle<g> double buggy, shopping, both boys onto the bus. You ended up by 'army volunteering' the passengers behind you.

   2000 April 29, Mitch, “Re: (Booklist included) was: Church's view on .... ?”, in uk.religion.christian (Usenet)

   Coutts was originally press-ganged into playing the game by one of his former intermediate teachers. Despite some initial scepticism, he eventually became hooked. "It was something that I got sort of army-volunteered into but looking back at it now, it's been one of the best things of my life, just because of the experiences and opportunities I've been given," he said.

   2009 March 27, Wayne Martin, “World beckons for golf croquet whiz BY WAYNE MARTIN”, in Nelson Mail, New Zealand: Nelson

   Synonyms: press into service