Browsing
Idioms starting with D
385 expressions
daily grind
The difficult, routine, or monotonous tasks of daily work.
damn right
Expresses enthusiastic support or opposition, agreement or disagreement, certainty or emph…
damn straight
Without doubt, certainly, for sure.
damn the torpedoes
Used to dismiss the risks of a dangerous action.
damn with faint praise
To provide praise that is minimal or inconsequential, implying that such praise is the bes…
damned if one does and damned if one doesn't
Of a situation where either choice results in a negative outcome.
damp squib
Anything that does not work properly, or fails to come up to expectations; a dud.
dance attendance
To wait obsequiously (on or upon someone).
dance of the seven veils
A striptease performance.
dance on nothing
To be hanged.
dance on someone's grave
To celebrate a person's death or downfall triumphantly.
dance with the devil
To engage in risky and immoral behavior.
Daniel come to judgement
One who wisely settles a difficult matter.
dark cloud
A situation or future event that causes worry, problems or unhappiness, likened to such a …
dark horse
Someone who possesses talents or favorable characteristics that are not known or expected …
darken a church door
To go to church to attend a service.
darken someone's door
To arrive at someone's residence or location, especially as an unexpected visitor.
darn tootin'
You are absolutely correct.
dart about
To move around quickly, perhaps frequently changing directions.
dash off
To write quickly or informally.
dash someone's hopes
To undercut or undermine someone's dreams or aspirations.
date with destiny
An inevitable future event or anticipated occurrence, especially in the form of an encount…
daughter of Eve
Any woman or girl; any female human.
Davy Jones's locker
The bottom of the sea, seen as a grave for sailors and the resting-place of anything that …
dawn of a new day
A new beginning; a fresh start; an important, promising turning point.
dawn of time
The beginning of time, of the universe, of the world, of mankind or of history.
dawn on
To occur to somebody; to be realized by.
day after day
For an indefinite number of days.
day and age
A time period of years or more.
day at the beach
An easy and pleasant task or situation.
day in the sun
A time of glory or ascendancy.
day in, day out
Every day; daily; constantly or continuously (especially, of something that has become rou…
day lark
One who gets up early in the morning or goes to bed early.
day of days
A particularly noteworthy day; the day on which a milestone or especially memorable event …
day or night
At any time; 24/7
day out
An excursion, returning home on the same day.
daylight robbery
The practice of cheating or of imposing an exorbitant charge for a product or service; (co…
days of yore
The past; bygone days.
dead 'n' buried
Contraction of dead and buried.
dead air
An unintended interruption in a broadcast during which nothing is transmitted: a silent pe…
dead and buried
Of an issue, moot, passed, irrelevant, forgotten.
dead asleep
Sleeping in a deep sleep
dead cat bounce
A temporary recovery in the price of a financial instrument which has fallen rapidly and i…
dead center
The exact center.
dead duck
One who is in serious danger or trouble.
dead end
A street or path or tunnel that goes nowhere or is blocked on one end.
dead giveaway
A giveaway that is especially obvious, especially ruinous, or both, disclosing, usually un…
dead heat
a close race or contest in which no winner is apparent
dead inside
Unable to feel any emotions, especially as a symptom of depression.
dead last
Finishing in last place in a competition or ranking, often by a considerable margin to the…
dead loss
An absolute or total loss.
dead meat
Someone in danger of being killed or severely punished.
dead men's shoes
A position or property that is only attainable by someone else upon the current holder's d…
dead of night
Middle of the night.
dead of winter
The middle of the winter, characterized by being particularly cold.
dead on
Exactly at.
dead ringer
Someone or something that very closely resembles another; someone or something easily mist…
dead silence
A particularly notable/awkward silence or absence of response.
dead soldier
An empty container, usually a bottle or can which contained an alcoholic beverage.
dead to rights
With sufficient evidence to establish responsibility definitively.
dead to the world
Sound asleep.
dead tree edition
The physical, printed version of a publication.
deadbeat dad
A man, especially one who is divorced or estranged from his partner, who fails to provide …
deadstick landing
A forced landing without propulsion of an aircraft that normally operates with propulsion.
deafening silence
A noteworthy silence, or absence of response, especially one signifying disapproval or lac…
deal a bad hand
To assign unfavorable circumstances in life to someone.
deal a good hand
To assign favorable circumstances in life to someone.
deal a hand
To assign circumstances in life to someone.
death and taxes
Something which is totally certain.
death by a thousand paper cuts
An ultimate negative outcome, such as the failure of a project, brought about by an excess…
death by PowerPoint
The boredom or disengagement that an audience experiences from poorly designed or overly v…
deathbed conversion
An abrupt, last-minute change in one's professed beliefs, principles, or point of view in …
debris field
Any area, non-dependent of locale, space, or contour, that contains the debris of wreckage…
December bride
A woman who marries when she is significantly older than most brides.
decimal dozen
Ten, a group of ten.
deep cut
An obscure song by a well known musician.
deep dive
An in-depth examination or analysis of a topic.
deep down
Fundamentally; in essence; in reality
deep pockets
An ample supply of money, especially money which one is willing to spend; the possessor of…
deep six
An ejection, discardment or destruction.
deep thinker
A person whose thoughts are profound; an intellectual.
deep water
A difficult or embarrassing situation.
deer in the headlights
A person in a mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety, fear, panic, surprise, confu…
degrade gracefully
Of a system: to maintain at least some of its functionality when portions are not working,…
Delhi belly
Digestive illness or diarrhea, especially if suffered by a visitor to India.
delight in
To enjoy; to take pleasure in.
deliver the goods
To do what was promised or expected.
deliver up to
To hand over or surrender (something or someone) to.
depart with
To part with.
Derangement Syndrome
The acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal and balanced people triggered by the menti…
desk jockey
One who spends their time seated at a desk; especially one who is more concerned with proc…
detective work
investigative research
devil dancing
Risky, reckless or potentially immoral behavior.
devil in disguise
A person or thing that appears to be good, honest, or upstanding, but is inherently nasty,…
devil lies in the details
Synonym of devil is in the details.
devil's advocate
One who debates from a viewpoint which one may not actually hold, usually to determine its…
devil's luck
astounding good luck.
dial back
To reduce (one's energy or intensity); to restrain (a feeling or action).
dial down
To reduce or diminish in effect or intensity.
dial towards
To be oriented towards, to be figuratively moving in the direction of or aiming at a concl…
dice roll
Something unpredictable or unexpected.
dick milk
Semen.
dick munch
An idiot or foolish person.
dictated but not read
Dictated, as to a secretary or stenographer, but not proofread by the person who dictated …
die a thousand deaths
To suffer repeatedly (often mentally rather than physically); to suffer extreme embarrassm…
die down
To become less virulent or strong; to subside.
die hard
Of a living being, to die only after a desperate struggle for life.
die in harness
Of a person, to pass away before retirement.
die on one's arse
To fail completely.
die on the vine
To fail at an early stage or never come to fruition, typically due to neglect, infeasibili…
die out
To become extinct.
die the way one lived
To die because of or after doing something characteristic of oneself, especially something…
different breed of cat
Something entirely different; a whole other thing or matter.
different drummer
Someone or something that implies individuality, originality, or nonconformity.
dig a hole for oneself
To take an action or create a situation from which it is difficult to extricate.
dig deep
To make a lot of effort with all one's resources.
dig in
To adopt a resolute state of mind.
dig in one's heels
To act in a determined manner by firmly maintaining one's beliefs, demands, situation, etc…
dig one's heels in
to refuse to change one's plans or ideas, especially when counseled otherwise
dig one's own grave
To behave in a way that is likely to cause one to lose or fail, including, but not limited…
dig oneself in a hole
To put oneself in even more trouble.
dig out of a hole
To save someone or something from trouble.
dig up
To discover something by digging; to unearth.
dig up dirt
To examine in order to find negative information for public opinion, usually with the purp…
digital courage
The sense of being able or emboldened to say something to someone over digital media (text…
dim and distant
Of a very long time ago, so as to be almost forgotten.
dime's worth
An insignificant amount
diminishing returns
A condition in which additional inputs into an organization, project or process produce pr…
dine on ashes
To mope over past defeats or failures.
dip a toe into
Alternative form of dip one's toe in.
dip into
To spend some of a source of money (such as one's savings).
dip one's toe in
To explore or begin; to enter or get involved in tentatively and for the first time.
diplomatic flu
An illness feigned by one or more government officials or other public figures as an excus…
director of first impressions
A receptionist.
dirt file
A compilation of negative gossip or facts about someone.
dirty laundry
Unflattering or embarrassing facts, or questionable activities that one wants to remain se…
dirty look
An unpleasant or disdainful look or expression, often directed at someone.
dirty money
Money that is illegally gained, illegally transferred or illegally utilized, especially mo…
dirty pool
Foul play; misconduct; underhandedness.
dirty word
The name of a topic that a person prefers not to hear or discuss.
dirty work
One or more unpleasant tasks, assignments, or employment duties, especially those of a dis…
Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells
A stereotypical vocal conservative curmudgeon.
dish the dirt
To tell salacious gossip.
dishpan hands
Hands which are rough, reddish, and dry, as from irritation and chafing caused by immersio…
dismal science
Economics or the field of political economy.
dive in
To start a new endeavor enthusiastically and wholeheartedly.
do a bunk
To escape or flee, especially under incriminating circumstances.
do a number on
To damage, especially to a significant extent; to treat harshly; to produce ill effects in…
do a slow burn
To experience a gradually increasing feeling of anger or frustration; to slowly burn.
do away with
To abolish; to put an end to; to eliminate.
do by halves
To perform (a task, etc) partially or incompletely; to do (something) inadequately, halfhe…
do cartwheels
To be extremely happy
do down
To belittle or intimidate.
do drugs
To abuse an illegal drug or drugs, especially as a result of chemical addiction.
do exactly what it says on the tin
To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.
do ill
To harm, to injure.
do it tough
To be in a desperate situation; to struggle.
do justice
To allow to be apprehended in its full scope.
do me a favour
Expressing incredulity.
do me a lemon
Expresses disbelief.
do numbers
To be popular, as measured by engagement or sales metrics.
do one's business
Especially of a house pet: to defecate or urinate.
do one's damnedest
To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.
do one's darnedest
To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.
do one's homework
To prepare oneself with the relevant knowledge; to carry out the necessary research in adv…
do one's own thing
To do what one considers to be best suited or most satisfying for oneself; to do what expr…
do one's own time
To serve a prison sentence without becoming involved in any illicit dealings or prison gan…
do one's utmost
To make the greatest possible effort.
do or die
Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
do porridge
Synonym of do time.
do right by
To treat, deal with, or act toward (someone) in a morally just, socially honorable fashion…
do somebody wrong
To treat someone badly or unfairly.
do someone like that
to treat someone in a negative manner
do someone one better
To do more than somebody asked for or expected.
do someone's head in
To frustrate, infuriate, irritate or disturb someone.
do the dash
To hurriedly part with one’s current location, to escape, to flee the scene.
do the decent thing
To take the most honorable or appropriate course of action, even if is not necessarily in …
do the dirty on
To treat (someone) in an unfair manner; to cheat or betray.
do the honors
To act as a host to guests.
do the math
To determine the explanation for or precise nature of a situation, such as the motive unde…
do the needful
To do what is necessary or required.
do the right thing
To do what is ethical or just.
do the talking
To convey the message; to communicate an idea or create an impression.
do the trick
To work; to be successful; to solve a problem; to be sufficient or adequate to fulfill a p…
do the work
To take part in social justice activism; to fight against racism, oppression, etc.
do up
To fasten (a piece of clothing, etc.); to tighten (a nut etc.)
do well by doing good
To achieve social acceptance or financial success as a result of behaving in a benevolent …
do well for oneself
To thrive or succeed.
do what
An intensified version of what? or huh?, expressing surprise or lack of comprehension
do with mirrors
To perform a magic or optical trick with the use of hidden mirrors, implying trickery and …
doctors make the worst patients
It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.
dodge a bullet
To have a narrow escape; to avoid injury, disaster, or some other undesirable situation.
does the Pope shit in the woods
Obviously! Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic y…
does the Pope wear a funny hat
Obviously! Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic y…
dog and cat
A team comprising one male and one female, either working as associates or having one as t…
dog and pony show
Any presentation or display that is overly contrived or intricate, while lacking real subs…
dog around
To follow diligently.
dog in the hunt
Something that may lead to gain, depending on the outcome; a position for which to campaig…
dog in the manger
Someone who denies to others something that the denier cannot use.
dog my cats
Used as a mild oath, or as an expression of astonishment
dog that caught the car
A person who has unexpectedly attained an aspirational goal and is now unsure what to do w…
dog who caught the tire
One who accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat, but does not know what to do next.
dog's breakfast
An unappealing mixture; a disorderly situation; a mess.
dog's chance
Little or no likelihood.
dog's life
A miserable, wretched existence.
dogs bark, cats meow
Used to introduce something seen as inevitable or totally commonplace.
dole out
To distribute in apportioned amounts.
dollar-sign eyes
Greediness or a moment of greediness.
don't call me sir, I work for a living
Used by senior enlisted military personnel to indicate that they are not commissioned offi…
don't call us, we'll call you
A stereotypical statement from a hiring organization to a potential candidate, suggesting …
don't drop the soap
Used as a mockery to someone who is about to be or should be confined in prison.
don't get someone started
Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avo…
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of …
don't go there
Do not broach that topic.
don't hold your breath
Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to hap…
don't knock yourself out
Don't overexert yourself (in doing something that does not require much effort).
don't let the door hit you on the way out
Used as a command to leave in haste, or to indicate that one is glad, or at least unmoved,…
don't shit where you eat
One should not cause trouble in places, groups, or situations that one holds as important …
don't sweat it
Do not worry about it.
don't tell me
Used to introduce a guess at a fact or situation, as if forestalling the other speaker's u…
don't worry
Synonym of none of your business.
done and dusted
Completed thoroughly and satisfactorily.
done deal
An agreement that has been finally resolved or decided.
donkey work
Work that is difficult, boring, and routine.
donkey's ears
A long time, years and years.
donkey's years
A long time, years and years.
doomed if you do, doomed if you don't
A situation where either choice results in a negative outcome; dilemma.
dope sheet
A summary, ordinarily in the form of a document, containing important facts and background…
dormitive principle
A type of tautology in which an item is explained in terms of the item itself, only put in…
dormitive virtue
A type of tautology in which an item is explained in terms of the item itself, only put in…
dot the i's and cross the t's
To take care of every detail, even minor ones; to be meticulous or thorough; to finish off…
double back
To retrace one's steps; to go back where one has already gone.
double booked
Of a single resource, reserved for two different users at the same time.
double bookkeeping
The tendency, among those who experience delusions, to perceive reality and the delusions …
double in brass
To perform two or more tasks within the same project or organization.
double over
To bend over deeply at the waist.
double taker
Something causing someone to do a double take.
double tap
A tactical shooting technique of pulling the trigger of a weapon twice in quick succession…
doubting Thomas
One who requires proof before believing.
dowdy up
To make something appear plain and unattractive.
down and out
In a condition of poverty or debility, especially as a result of experiencing a financial …
down at heel
Shabbily dressed, slovenly; impoverished; shabby, dilapidated.
down but not out
Temporarily incapacitated but not permanently defeated.
down cellar
Downstairs; the opposite of upstairs.
down for the count
Decisively beaten; defeated; rendered irrelevant for the long term.
down in the dumps
Sad; lacking engagement or enthusiasm.
down in the mouth
Sad or discouraged, especially as indicated by one's facial appearance.
down on one's luck
Unlucky or undergoing a period of bad luck, especially with respect to financial matters.
down on one's uppers
impecunious, lacking money
down the cludgie
Alternative form of down the toilet: wasted or irretrievable.
down the drain
Wasted or irretrievable.
down the khazi
Synonym of down the toilet: wasted; irretrievable.
down the line
Further along, in terms of time or progress.
down the pan
Synonym of down the toilet: wasted; irretrievable.
down the road
Further along, in terms of time or progress.
down the road, not across the street
Of the technique for committing suicide, along the radial artery rather than across the wr…
down the toilet
Into a state of collapse or failure: wasted, squandered; irretrievable.
down the track
Further along, in terms of time or progress.
down the tubes
Synonym of down the toilet: wasted; irretrievable.
down to a fine art
To a point of exceptional proficiency.
down to the short strokes
To the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been leng…
down to the wire
At the very end of a process or project, especially one with a fast-approaching deadline.
down tools
To stop work, especially when taking industrial action.
down under
In Australia.
down with the kids
who attempts (especially in vain) to appeal to young people by imitating them
drag ass
To move slowly, or lag behind.
drag on
To last too long.
drag one's balls across
To exert extreme, often aggressive, power or control over; dominate.
drag one's feet
To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.
drag the chain
To fall behind relative to others.
drag through the mud
To tarnish or spoil enough so that something or someone is no longer respectable.
drain the python
To urinate.
drain the snake
To urinate.
drama king
An overly or exaggeratedly dramatic person, especially a man or a boy.
drama queen
An overly or exaggeratedly dramatic person, especially a woman or a girl. Or a diva or a n…
draw a blank
To be unable to recall a required piece of information.
draw a line
To delimit a boundary or border.
draw a long bow
To lie; to exaggerate.
draw a straight furrow
To live correctly or ethically, without deviating from the right line of duty.
draw even
To attain the same level as a competitor.
draw fire
To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain…
draw in
To attract.
draw off
To remove by using a siphon.
draw one's last breath
To die.
draw stumps
To cease doing something, at least for the day.
draw the line
To set a boundary, rule, or limit, especially on what one will tolerate.
draw the long bow
To exaggerate; to tell tall tales.
draw the short straw
To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).
drawing card
Synonym of drawcard (“something that attracts patronage to a place or an event”).
dress down
To scold.
dress to kill
To dress up so as to impress others (especially of the opposite sex).
dressed to kill
Dressed in a very fashionable style.
dressed to the nines
Very fancily or formally dressed; wearing very showy or splendid clothing.
dried-fish woman
A woman, especially a young one, who lacks a significant other.
drift apart
To lose contact, to lose one's friendship or closeness.
drift off
To fall asleep slowly.
drill down
To examine information at another level or in greater detail; especially in a database, to…
drink from a firehose
To be overwhelmed (with work, information, etc.); to be inundated with an unrestricted or …
drink with the flies
To drink alcohol while alone.
drinking hole
A bar or other local drinking establishment.
drinks o'clock
The time to begin social drinking.
drive a coach and horses through
To spoil, break or render ineffective (a rule, plan or agreement).
drive a hard bargain
To negotiate forcefully.
drive a stake through its heart
get rid of, destroy permanently or stop talking about
drive a wedge
To separate.
drive away
To force someone or something to leave
drive back
To force someone or something to retreat or move away; repel.
drive down
To cause or force a price, quantity, rate, etc. to decrease.
drive off
To force to leave or go away.
drive out
To push or to pull, i.e. to force, (someone or something) out of somewhere.
drive someone crazy
To annoy or irritate.
drive someone to drink
To cause someone to drink lots of alcohol, as an escape from frustration.
drive someone up the wall
To make a person very angry or frustrated; to infuriate.
drive the porcelain bus
Synonym of worship the porcelain god (“to vomit into a toilet bowl, especially while drunk…
drive to drink
Synonym of drive someone crazy.
drive up
To cause or force a price, quantity, rate, etc. to increase.
drive-by media
Media that provides broad or misleading statements in quick succession without context or …
drool bucket
A person with low intelligence or no common sense; an idiot.
drop a bollock
To make a mistake.
drop a bomb
Alternative form of drop a bombshell.
drop a bombshell
To announce surprising or alarming information suddenly and without warning.
drop a brick
To commit a faux pas, especially in speech, such as by tactlessly speaking of a subject th…
drop a dime
To make a telephone call.
drop a hint
To reveal a clue or hint about something.
drop a log
To defecate.
drop in
To arrive casually and unannounced, with little or no warning; also, to visit without an a…
drop in the bucket
Something of little importance, especially an inconsequential effort or action as compared…
drop in the ocean
A very small or insignificant amount; something of little importance, especially an incons…
drop in the pond
A very small or insignificant amount; something of little importance.
drop in the sea
A very small or insignificant amount; something of little importance.
drop off
To fall asleep.
drop off the hooks
To die.
drop off the radar
To vanish or fall into obscurity; to become forgotten or ignored.
drop out
To leave (school, a race, etc.) prematurely and voluntarily.
drop someone a line
To write and send (someone) a note or telegram.
drop the ball
To fail in one's responsibilities or duties, or to make a mistake, especially at a critica…
drop the bomb
to reveal dramatic and unexpected news that changes a situation completely
drop the f-bomb
To utter the word fuck, especially in an inappropriate manner or setting.
drop the gloves
To fight.
drop the mic
To do or say something decisive, meaningful, or impressive.
drop the pilot
To obtain a divorce.
drop the topic
To stop talking about the topic at hand.
drop the writ
To call a federal or provincial election.
drop trow
To pull down one's trousers (pants).
drown out
To cover, obscure, or overwhelm by being louder or more intense than.
drown the miller
To put too much water in something; overdilute.
drug on the market
something which is overabundant at the moment and thus not in demand.
drum into
To repeat something to a (person) until they accept, remember or understand it.
drum out
To remove, especially unfairly, from an organization or position of responsibility.
drum up
To generate or encourage; to campaign for.
dry behind the ears
Seasoned or experienced; mature, especially with respect to judgment.
dry eye
An eye which is not crying, i.e. someone emotionally unmoved.
Dry January
A popular health challenge where a person abstains from alcohol for the entire month of Ja…
dry one's eyes
To cease crying.
dry out
To (cause to) sober up; to cease to be drunk; to quit using drugs or alcohol.
dry run
A practice or rehearsal; especially, one that goes through all the motions of a physical p…
dry up and blow away
To go away; to disappear.
duck down
To crouch in order to hide or protect oneself.
duck off
To lie low; to hide.
duck out
To depart quickly or exit abruptly, especially in a manner which does not attract notice a…
duck soup
Something which is easy; a piece of cake.
ducked off
Lying low; hidden.
ducks and drakes
The squandering of resources, especially money; used in expressions such as "to make ducks…
due course
Regular or appropriate passage or occurrence
dumb as a post
Utterly mute; lacking the ability to speak.
dumb down
To convey some subject matter in simple terms, avoiding technical or academic language, es…
dumb luck
pure chance; luck
dumb shit
Alternative spelling of dumbshit.
dummy run
A trial or practice before the real attempt.
dummy spit
The act of overreacting (as an adult) to a situation childishly, in an angry or frustrated…
dump one's load
To ejaculate, cum, inseminate, or defecate
Dunkirk spirit
The spirit of the British public pulling together to overcome times of adversity.
durance vile
A long prison sentence.
dust mouse
A dust bunny.
dust off a batter
for a pitcher to throw a pitch at or near the batter, typically to frighten the batter or …
dust settles
A heated, angry, or confused atmosphere calms down.
dusty miller
A formulaic phrase for a miller, related to the dust generated in the milling process.
Dutch courage
The courage or bravado induced by alcohol.
Dutch reckoning
A (falsified) bill that is not itemised, and that is unjustifiably high.
duty calls
Expresses that the speaker must go and deal with something.
dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants
One who discovers by building on previous discoveries.
dyed in the wool
Alternative spelling of dyed-in-the-wool (Set in one's ways, steadfast.)
dying breed
A group of people or things that is becoming less numerous over time.
dying quail
A pop fly which is hit weakly and falls in front of the outfielders.
dynamite charge
Instructions given by the judge to a jury that has failed to reach a verdict, in the hope …