20 Most Amazing Idioms with letter D
20 Most Amazing Idioms with Letter D
1. Damp squib
Meaning: an event which has not happened as expected.
Examples:
a. I thought this would be a great opportunity for Alia to represent India at World Cup, but of course it was a total damp squib!
b. 2022 college reunion was a total damp squid.
2. Days are numbered
Meaning: something which is coming to an end very shortly, suggesting that time is running out.
Examples:
a. The coach's days are numbered; the team hasn't won a game all season.
b. The bookshop's days are numbered; people are buying more e-books than physical books.
3. Dead air
Meaning: dead air refers to a period of silence or lack of sound transmission during a radio or television broadcast.
Examples:
a. The DJ was fired for letting dead air play for too long during his live show.
b. The podcast episode had a lot of dead air due to the host's poor editing.
4. Dollars to donuts
Meaning: "Dollars to donuts" is an idiomatic expression used to convey confidence or certainty in a particular outcome or prediction. It's an informal way of saying that you are extremely confident in your prediction and would be willing to bet on it, with "dollars" representing the currency and "donuts" representing a small and relatively inexpensive item.
Examples:
a. I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that it's going to rain tomorrow.
b. I'll bet you dollars to donuts that the team from New York is going to win the championship this year.
5. Dodge a bullet
Meaning: to narrowly avoid a harmful situation or consequence.
Examples:
a. I almost missed my flight, but I made it just in time. I really dodged a bullet there.
b. I was going to lend him some money, but then I found out he had a history of not paying people back; I dodged a bullet.
6. Drop a dime
Meaning: to make a phone call, often to report someone to the authorities
Examples:
a. Sarah dropped a dime and reported her boss for harassment.
b. The witness dropped a dime on the suspect, giving the police valuable information to solve the case.
7. Dog's life
Meaning: a difficult, unpleasant, or miserable life.
Examples:
a. Working two jobs just to make both ends meet is a real dog's life.
b. Being homeless is a dog's life; you have to scavenge for food and shelter every day.
8. Day in the sun
Meaning: refers to happy, carefree times spent enjoying life.
Examples:
a. The family spent their days in the sun on the beach, playing in the sand and swimming in the ocean.
b. The road trip across the country was full of adventure and days in the sun, exploring new sights and meeting interesting people.
9.Dead as a doornail
Meaning: completely lifeless and without any hope of being revived or repaired.
Examples:
a. The battery in my old phone is dead as a doornail. I can't even turn it on anymore.
b. The old car in the garage is dead as a doornail. It's time to buy a new one.
10. Devil's advocate
Meaning: a person who presents a dissimilar or opposing viewpoint, to initiate a debate or discussion.
Examples:
a. I know you think we should hire more staff, but let me play devil's advocate for a moment and suggest that we try to work with what we have.
b. I don't really believe all that - I was just playing devil's advocate.
11. Drive someone up the wall
Meaning: to annoy or frustrate someone to the point of madness.
Examples:
a. My coworker's constant tapping on the keyboard is driving me up the wall.
b. Sarah's loud and constant singing is driving me up the wall! I can't concentrate on my work with all the noise.
12. Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: don't make plans based on something that may not happen.
Examples:
a. I know you're excited about the job offer, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.
b. Don't go buying a new car just yet. You haven't won the lottery, so don't count your chickens before they hatch.
13. Diamond in the rough
Meaning: someone or something with potential or talent that isn't yet polished or refined.
Examples:
a. The new employee is a diamond in the rough. With a bit of training and guidance, they could be a star.
b. The house is a diamond in the rough, and with some hard work it will be really beautiful.
14. Dark horse
Meaning: an unknown or unexpected candidate, often in a competition or election, who emerges to achieve success or victory.
Examples:
a. South Africa cricket team is such a dark horse team, I had no idea that they would win the World Cup.
b. John was a dark horse in the competition, nobody expected him to win but he surprised everyone with his exceptional performance.
15. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: this idiom means to not invest all of your time, money, or efforts into a single venture or opportunity.
Examples:
a. I know you really want to invest all your money in that one stock, but don't put all your eggs in one basket. It's better to diversify your portfolio.
b. I'm applying to several different colleges, because I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket and risk not getting accepted anywhere.
16. Don't cry over spilt milk
Meaning: this means not to get upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Examples:
a. I know you've made a mistake, but there's no point in crying over spilt milk. Let's just move on.
b.I know you're upset that you didn't get the job, but don't cry over spilt milk. There will be other opportunities for you.
17. Dog-eat-dog
Meaning: this describes a very competitive and cutthroat environment where people will do anything to get ahead.
Examples:
a. The business world can be very dog-eat-dog, so you need to be prepared to compete fiercely.
b. The tech industry can be very competitive and dog-eat-dog, so you have to be prepared to work hard and stay ahead of the curve.
18. Dead in the water
Meaning: this means something that has completely failed or become stuck.
Examples:
a. Our plan to expand the business is dead in the water due to lack of funding.
b. Without a reliable internet connection, our business is dead in the water. We can't afford any more downtime.
19. Drop in the bucket
Meaning: this means a very small and insignificant amount in comparison to the whole.
Examples:
a. Your donation of 1000 is appreciated, but it's just a drop in the bucket compared to what we need.
b. The employer's salary is just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall budget of the company.
20. Dead duck
Meaning: this is a phrase used to describe something or someone that is destined to fail.
Examples:
a. The old printer in the office is a dead duck, it doesn't work and we can't get replacement parts anymore.
b. The football team was already losing by ten points, but when their best player got injured, they were really a dead duck.
Exercises-20-Most Amazing Idioms with letter D
EXERCISES
A. Make sentences out of given idioms.
1. Dead in the water
2. Don't cry over spilt milk
3. Dark horse
4. Don't count your chickens before they hatch
5. Dog-eat-dog
B. Give the meanings of given idioms.
1. Dead as doornail
2. Days are numbered
3. Dodge a bullet
4. Dollars to donuts
5. Day in the sun
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