Idiom alphabetical list

English idioms & idiomatic expressions

List of idioms with their meaning and an example of use.

(Please use the scrollbar to browse the list.)

Alphabetical list of idioms - D

Dab hand at something

If you're a dab hand at something, you're very good at doing it.

Why don't you call Suzy? She's a dab hand at organizing barbecues.

Dance attendance (on somebody)

If you dance attendance on someone, you are constantly available for that person

and attend to their wishes.

She's rich and famous and expects everyone to dance attendance on her.

Dance to someone's tune

If you dance to someone's tune, you do whatever that person tells you to do.

He is the company's major shareholder so the management has to dance to his

tune.

In the dark

If someone is kept or left in the dark about something, they are not informed

about it .

The employees were kept in the dark about the merger until the last minute.

Darken someone's door

If you darken someone's door, you come as an unwanted or unwelcome visitor.

Just get out of here, and never darken my door again!

Call it a day.

A person who decides to "call it a day" decides to stop or finish doing

something, generally because they are tired.

It's getting dark. Let's call it a day.

A day late and a dollar short

If something is a day late and a dollar short, it comes too late and is not good

enough.

They offered me an internship when I'd already found a job - a day late and

a dollar short!

Daylight robbery (also: highway robbery)

The term 'daylight robbery' is used when the price of something is thought to

be much too high.

$10 for an orange juice? That's daylight robbery!

Dead as a dodo

To say that something is (as) dead as a dodo means that it is without doubt dead or

obsolete, or has gone out of fashion. (The dodo is a bird that is now extinct.)

The floppy disk is an invention that is now (as) dead as a dodo.

Dead as a doornail

This expression is used to stress that a person or thing is unquestionably dead.

They've started fighting again, so the peace agreement is now dead as a

doornail.

Dead duck

This expression refers to a project or scheme which has been abandoned or is

certain to fail.

The new cinema is going to be a dead duck because it's too far away from

the towncentre.

Dead loss

Someone or something described as a dead loss is absolutely useless or a complete

failure.

When it comes to gardening, my brother is a dead loss.

Dead set against something

If you are dead set against something, you are strongly opposed to it.

My father wanted a dog, but my mother was dead set against the idea.

Dead wood

The term dead wood refers to people or things which are no longer considered

useful or necessary.

The new manager wants to reduce costs by cutting out the dead wood.

Dead to the world

A person who is dead to the world is fast asleep.

Don't worry. You won't disturb him. He's dead to the world!

Deaf ear

If you turn a deaf ear to something, you refuse to listen.

Sandy turned a deaf ear to the guide's advice and got lost in the mountains.

A raw deal

If you say that someone has got a raw deal, you think they have been treated

unfairly or badly.

First he lost his job and then his house was seized by the tax authorities.

He really got a raw deal.

Deck out

If you deck out someone or something, you dress or decorate them in a special way.

Paul decked out his car for the wedding.

Off the deep end

A person who goes off the deep end becomes suddenly very angry or emotional.

He started shouting and throwing things around the office. He really went off

the deep end.

Deep pockets

A person or organization who has deep pockets has a lot of money.

Andy's business is not doing well at the moment. He says he needs a friend with

deep pockets.

Deliver the goods

If a person delivers the goods, they do what is expected of them or what they have

promised to do.

Let's hope that new whiz-kid the boss hired can deliver the goods!

Out of your depth

If you are out of your depth, you are in a situation which is too difficult for you,

or which you know little about.

She started building a website with little computer knowledge, so she was soon

out of her depth and had to look for help.

Devil's advocate

During a discussion or debate, if you play devil's advocate, you pretend to be against

an idea or plan in order to determine the validity of the arguments in favour of it.

She decided to play devil's advocate just to see how strongly people felt about

the project.

The devil is in the details

This expression refers to a task or a job which appears simple but is in fact more

difficult to accomplish.

Framing a picture looks easy but the devil is in the details!

The devil makes work for idle hands

This expression means that people who do not have enough to do are often tempted

to do something wrong.

It's not good for kids to have nothing to do at the week-end - the devil makes

work for idle hands!

The devil take the hindmost

This expression means that you should think of yourself and not worry about other

people.

When the boat capsized it was a case of 'the devil take the hindmost', but

luckily they all survived.

Speak of the devil!

This is said to refer to a person who appears just when his/her name is mentioned.

Speak of the devil! We were just talking about your invitation!

Dial it back

If you dial it back, you reduce the intensity of something or tone it down.

When Lucas started getting all excited his mother said : "Hey Lucas, dial it back a bit!"

The dice are loaded

If everything seems to work to your disadvantage and you are not likely to succeed,

you can say that the dice are loaded against you.

I applied for the job, but being a woman, and over forty, the dice were loaded

against me.

Dice with death

If you put your life at risk by doing something very dangerous, you dice with death.

Going mountain-climbing alone is dicing with death.

The die is cast

To say that the die is cast means that an irrevocable decision has been made which

will determine the future.

I've handed in my resignation so now the die is cast!

Die with one's boots on

A person who dies with their boots on dies while still leading an active life.

He says he'll never retire. He'd rather die with his boots on!

A different kettle of fish

To describe a person, thing or situation as a different kettle of fish means that it is

completely different from what was previously mentioned.

You may have good business relations, but actually living in the country is a

different kettle of fish.

Different strokes for different folks.

Each individual has their own tastes and requirements. What suits one person will

not suit another.

Alison really enjoys gardening, whereas Julie finds it a chore. Different strokes for

different folks!

Dig in your heels

If you dig in your heels, you refuse to do something, especially if someone is trying

to convince you to do so.

My grandfather dug in his heels and refused to move to an apartment.

Dig one's own grave

A person who digs their own grave does something which causes their own

downfall.

If you drop out of college now, with such high unemployment, you'll be digging

your own grave!

Dim view

If you take a dim view of something, you dislike or disapprove of it.

My previous boss took a dim view of wearing casual wear to work.

Dip one's toes in the water / get one's feet wet

If you dip your toes in the water or get your feet wet,, you start to do something new

or unfamiliar or explore new territory for the first time.

It will be a totally new experience for me but I can't wait to get my feet wet!

Wash your dirty linen in public.

To wash one's dirty linen in public means to talk about unpleasant personal matters

in the presence of others.

"Argue in private. Don't wash your dirty linen in public" was my grandmother's

advice.

Do someone's dirty work

To do someone's dirty work means to do the unpleasant or difficult work that the

other person does not want to do.

Life is easy for Harry. He always manages to find someone to do his dirty work.

Disappear into thin air

If someone or something disappears into thin air, they vanish in a mysterious way.

After being accused of embezzlement, the director disappeared into thin air.

Disaster written all over it

If something, such as a plan or idea, has disaster written all over it, it is thought

to be heading for complete failure or will cause a lot of trouble.

Mary's idea of a holiday with her in-laws has disaster written all over it!

Do a double take

Someone who does a double take looks again in surprise at something unexpected.

He did a double take when he saw his wife in a restaurant with another man.

Do a disappearing act

If someone does a disappearing act, they simply vanish, especially if they have done

something wrong or dishonest.

Just before the police arrived, the suspect did a disappearing act.

(not) do justice (to someone or something)

If you do not show the true value of someone or something, you do not do justice

to them/it.

The photograph doesn't do her justice; she's really much prettier than that.

Do more harm than good

If the effect of an action is more damaging than helpful, it does more harm than good."

Giving him money did more harm than good - he spent it on alcohol.

Do nothing by halves

When a person does everything they are engaged in completely and thoroughly,

they are said to do nothing by halves.

When she cooks, it's a four-course meal - she does nothing by halves!

Do someone a good turn

If you do someone a good turn, you act in a helpful way.

Mike is a great guy - always ready to do a good turn.

Do someone's dirty work

To do someone's dirty work means to do the unpleasant or difficult work that the

other person does not want to do.

Life is easy for Sally. She always manages to find someone to do her dirty work.

Do the spadework

Someone who does the spadework does the preparatory work or the preliminary

research for something.

Although I did all the spadework, my name was never mentioned.

Do the trick

If something does the trick, it does exactly what is needed or it achieves the

desired effect.

Another coat of paint should do the trick.

Dog's life

People use this expression when complaining about a situation or job which they

find unpleasant or unsatisfactory.

It's a dog's life working in the after-sales department.

Dog eat dog

This expression refers to intense competition and rivalry in pursuit of one's own

interests, with no concern for morality.

The business world is tough today. There's a general dog-eat-dog attitude.

A dog in the manger

A person referred to as a dog in the manger is someone who stops others enjoying

something he/she cannot use or doesn't want.

She hates the guitar so she won't allow her son to learn to play it - a real dog in

the manger!

Every dog has its day

This expression means that everyone can be successful at something at some time

in their life.

I didn't win this time, but I'll be lucky one day. Every dog has its day!

Give a dog a bad name

People who lose their reputation have difficulty regaining it because others

continue to blame or suspect them.

Tom was suspected as usual. Give a dog a bad name!

An old dog for a hard road

This expression means that experience is invaluable when one is faced with a

difficult task.

The case calls for an experienced lawyer, an old dog for a hard road.

Go to the dogs

To say that a company, organization or country is going to the dogs means that

it is becoming less successful or efficient than before.

Some think the company will go to the dogs if it is nationalized.

Let sleeping dogs lie

If you tell somebody to let sleeping dogs lie, you are asking them not to interfere

with a situation because they could cause problems.

Look - they've settled their differences. It's time to let sleeping dogs lie.

Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

This expression means that if someone or something can do a task for you, there's

no reason to do it yourself.

My grandmother has an electric mixer but she continues to make her cakes by

hand. Why keep a dog and bark yourself!

Dog and pony show

A dog and pony show is a marketing event or presentation which has plenty of style

but not much content.

In the doghouse

If you are in the doghouse, somebody is angry with you because you have done

something wrong.

Mark is in the doghouse because he damaged his father's car.

In the doldrums

To say that a person, a business or the economy in general is in the doldrums

means that the situation is gloomy and that nothing new is happening.

Despite the recent measures, the economy remains in the doldrums.

On the dole

A person who is receives financial assistance from the government when they are

unemployed is on the dole.

Their father is on the dole so the family is living on a tight budget.

A done deal

This expression is used to refer to an agreement or decision which has been

reached on a certain matter.

We're still considering several proposals, so it's not a done deal yet.

Done and dusted

When a project, task or activity is done and dusted, it is completely finished or

ready.

I've nearly finished preparing the presentation. When it's all done and dusted

I'll be able to relax.

The done thing

The correct way to behave in a particular social situation is called the done thing.

Wearing jeans to play golf is not the done thing.

Donkey work

This expression is used to describe the unpleasant, boring parts of a job.

I do the donkey work - my boss gets the credit!

Doom and gloom

A general atmosphere of pessimism, and a feeling that the situation is not going to

improve, is referred to as doom and gloom.

Fortunately it's not doom and gloom for all businesses, in spite of the economic

situation.

Beyond/without a shadow of (a) doubt

This expression is used to express absolute certainty about something.

There wasn't a shadow of a doubt in our minds about Susan's sincerity.

Doubting Thomas

A 'doubting Thomas' is as person who will not believe something without proof,

or without seeing it for themselves.

Down at heel

A person who is down-at-heel is someone whose appearance is untidy or neglected

because of lack of money.

The down-at-heel student I first met became a successful writer.

Down in the dumps

Someone who is down in the dumps is depressed or feeling gloomy.

Alex has been down in the dumps since he failed his exam.

Down payment

When someone makes a down payment, they pay a part of the total amount agreed

when signing a purchase deal or contract.

"Emma and Paul are excited. They put a down payment on their first house yesterday."

Down the drain

To say that money, time or effort has gone down the drain, means that it has been

wasted or lost.

His years of research went down the drain when the company went bankrupt.

Down in the mouth

When someone is down in the mouth, they look unhappy, discouraged or depressed.

You look a bit down in the mouth. What's the matter?

Down to earth

Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer but a realistic and practical person

who has sensible reactions and expectations.

Don't ask Suzy for help. She's fun, but not very down to earth.

Down to the wire

If something such as a project or a match goes down to the wire, the situation

can change up until the last possible moment.

There's nothing as exciting as watching a game that goes down to the wire.

All downhill/downhill all the way

If something is all downhill or downhill all the way, it is very easy compared to the

difficulties encountered beforehand.

The hardest part for the burglars was turning off the alarm system. After that it was

all downhill.

Go downhill

When something goes downhill it deteriorates or gets worse little by little.

The restaurant has been going downhill since the arrival of the new owner.

Drag one's feet

If you drag your feet, you delay a decision or participate without any real

enthusiasm.

The government is dragging its feet on measures to reduce pollution.

Drastic times call for drastic measures

When faced with a difficult situation, it is sometimes necessary to take actions

which in normal circumstances would appear extreme.

After Johnny's third accident, his father confiscated his car. Drastic times call

for drastic measures!

Draw a blank

If you look for or try to remember something, and draw a blank, you fail to find

what you are looking for.

I nearly won the quiz; unfortunately I drew a blank at the last question!

Draw the line

If you decide to draw the line, you decide when an activity or situation becomes

unacceptable.

When a person's private life is concerned, the media should know where to draw

the line.

Draw a line in the sand

If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit beyond which a certain situation

or activity will not be accepted.

That's it! We're going to draw a line in the sand and make this our final proposal.

Dream ticket

If you refer to two people as a dream ticket, you think they would work well

together and be successful.

Clinton and Obama teaming up for the general election were a dream ticket for

many Democrats.

Dressed to kill

When someone, especially a woman, is dressed to kill, they are wearing very

fashionable or glamorous clothes intended to attract attention.

She arrived at the reception dressed to kill.

Dressed up to the nines

To describe someone as dressed up to the nines means that they are wearing very

smart or glamorous clothes.

Caroline musts be going to a party - she's dressed up to the nines!

In dribs and drabs

If something comes in dribs and drabs, it arrives little by little, in small amounts or

numbers.

Instead of the crowd that was expected, people arrived in dribs and drabs.

Drive a hard bargain

A person who drives a hard bargain always makes sure they gain advantage in a

business deal.

Be prepared for tough negotiations with Stuart - he drives a bard bargain.

Drive up the wall

If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something that greatly

annoys or irritates you.

I can't concentrate with all the noise - it's driving me up the wall!

Drop a bombshell

If someone makes an unexpected or shattering announcement, they drop

a bombshell.

Her new husband dropped a bombshell when he announced that he was already

the father of three children!

Drop like flies

If people drop like flies, they fall ill or die in large numbers.

There's an epidemic of flu at the moment. Senior citizens are dropping like flies.

At the drop of a hat

If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately and without

hesitation

I've got great friends. They're ready to help out at the drop of a hat.

Drop names (name-dropping)

When you drop names, you mention the names of famous people you know or have

met in order to impress others.

There goes Jack dropping names again. People will soon get tired of listening to him!

A drop in the ocean

To refer to an amount as a drop in the ocean means that it is very small compared

to the amount needed or expected.

The revenue from the proposed tax reform is a drop in the ocean compared to

the deficit.

Drop somebody a line

If you drop someone a line, you write a letter to them.

I always drop her a line to wish her a Merry Christmas!

Drop someone (or something) like a hot potato

If you drop someone or something like a hot potato, you leave them or immediately

stop associating with them.

As soon as the article was published, she dropped him like a hot potato.

Dry (or dummy) run

If you organize a rehearsal, a trial exercise or a practice session of something, in

realistic conditions, to see how well it will work before it is launched, you do

a dry run.

Let's do a dry run of the ceremony to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Drum something into someone's head

If you teach something to someone through constant repetition, you drum it into

their head.

When we were kids at school, multiplication tables were drummed into our heads.

A sitting duck

A sitting duck is an easy target, a person who is easy to deceive.

The young girl was a sitting duck for the photographer.

Dull as ditchwater (also : dull as dishwater)

To refer to something as being as dull as ditchwater means that it is very boring.

The film was a dull at ditchwater. I nearly fell asleep.

Dumbing down

If something, such as a television programme or a film production, is dumbed down,

it is deliberately made less intelligent or less demanding, in order to attract a larger

audience.

Some TV channels are dumbing down their programmes in an attempt to increase

their audience ratings.

Hit the dust

The expression hit the dust is a humorous way of referring to death.

John Wayne? He hit the dust a long time ago.

The dust has settled

To say that the dust has settled means that the situation has become calmer after

a series of unpleasant or chaotic events.

After her difficult divorce, she waited until the dust had settled before making

any plans.

Go Dutch

To go Dutch with somebody means to share the cost of something such as a meal

or a concert.

OK. I'll come to the concert with you but only if you agree to go Dutch.

Above and beyond the call of duty

If a person does something which is above and beyond the call of duty, they show

a greater degree of courage or effort than is usually required or expected in their

job.

The fire-fighter received a medal for his action which went above and beyond

the call of duty.

Duty bound

If you are duty bound to do something, you are required to do it as part of your

obligations.

Teachers are duty bound to report a pupil's absence from school.

Dwell on something

If someone dwells on something, they think or talk about it all the time.

My mother-in-law has health problems, but I wish she wouldn't always dwell on

the subject.

Dyed-in-the-wool

This expression is used to describe a person who has fixed, uncompromising,

deep-felt beliefs to which they are committed.

Bob and Jane are dyed-in-the-wool ecologists who use only biodegradable products.

Dying for something

If you are dying for something, you have a strong desire for it.

I'm dying for a cup of tea!

www.idioms-today.com

back to top