Bly
/ BLY /Part of our Jamaican Patois Dictionary — 1,400+ words and phrases with meanings and examples.
Quick answer: Bly (pronounced BLY) is a chance, a break, a favour.
What does Bly mean?
A bly is a chance, break or favour. ‘Gimme a bly’ means ‘give me a break’ or ‘cut me some slack’ — whether asking for a discount, a second chance or leniency.
Where does Bly come from?
Its origin is uncertain; it has been part of Jamaican speech for generations.
How to use Bly
Common in bargaining (‘gimme a bly pon di price’), with police, or when asking someone to let something slide.
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Gimme a bly nuh, officer. | Give me a break, officer. |
| Gimme a bly pon di price. | Give me a discount. |
| Him neva get a bly. | He never got a chance. |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: blye, gimme a bly.
Related Patois words
Gimme a bly · Brawta · Ease mi up · Beg yuh
Frequently asked
What does ‘gimme a bly’ mean?
Give me a break or a chance.
Can bly mean a discount?
Yes, when bargaining.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Bly in the dictionary.
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