bail up
verb1
Australia To apply a bail to (a cow); to trap or corner.
2
Australia, New Zealand To stop (someone) to talk to them; to buttonhole.
- I'm late because Debbie bailed me up on the phone.
- It always embarrassed me dreadfully the way Pop seemed to lack the sense and pride just to say ‘Good day’ to Doc instead of trying every time to bail him up and talk importantly.1963, Ronald Hugh Morrieson, The Scarecrow, Text Classics, published 2012, page 94:
3
For rocks, clay, etc. to build up around a drill.
4
Australia To rob (someone).
- They bailed me up for fifty bucks.
5
Australia To corner (someone); to hold (someone) under threat of violence; for dogs to hold people or animals at bay.
6
Misspelling Misspelling of bale up.