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Black as Newgate's knocker meaning

What does the saying 'Black as Newgate's knocker' mean?

Idiom: Black as Newgate's knocker

Meaning:

If things are as black as Newgate's knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its door knocker meant trouble.
Country: British English British English | Subject Area: Colours | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
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