Idioms and Phrases with D
Idioms and Phrases Starting with D
1. Dead and buried
Meaning: something that cannot be restored or reactivated to its original form or state.
Examples:
a. The old argument about whether the UK should be a member of the EU should now be dead and buried.
b. All past animosities are dead and buried now.
2. Dumb as a doornail
Meaning: very stupid or unintelligent
Examples:
a. He may be good-looking, but he's dumb as a doornail. I wouldn't make him my friend.
b. He couldn't answer any of the questions correctly, he was as dumb as a doornail.
3. Dwindle down
Meaning: to decrease gradually in size, amount, or importance.
Examples:
a. The company's profits have dwindled down over the past few years. They need to find new revenue streams.
b. The water supply in the reservoir has been dwindling down due to the lack of rain this season.
4. Dyed in the wool
Meaning: deeply committed or entrenched in a belief or way of thinking.
Examples:
a. He's a dyed-in-the-wool conservative. He'll never vote for a liberal candidate.
b. She's a dyed-in-the-wool vegetarian; she has been avoiding meat for her entire life.
5. Devil in the details
Meaning: important information or factors that are easily overlooked and that can cause problems and difficulties.
Examples:
a. The devil is in the details with this contract. We need to read it carefully to make sure there are no hidden surprises.
b. The proposal looked good at first glance, but we found out later that the devil was in the details; there were hidden costs that we didn't consider.
6. Devil-may-care
Meaning: reckless or carefree.
Examples:
a. His devil-may-care attitude often gets him into trouble. He needs to take things more seriously.
b. His devil-may-care attitude got him into trouble more than once; he didn't think about the consequences of his actions
7. Diamond a dozen
Meaning: something that is very common or easily obtained.
Examples:
a. These days, mobile phones are a diamond a dozen. You can find them everywhere.
b. There are so many similar products on the market that they have become a diamond a dozen; it's hard to distinguish one from another.
8. Dead ringer
Meaning: someone or something that looks exactly like someone or something else.
Examples:
a. He's a dead ringer for his father when he was young. They could be twins.
b. He's a dead ringer for his grandfather; they look exactly alike.
9. Double-edged sword
Meaning: something that has both positive and negative effects.
Examples:
a. Social media can be a double-edged sword. It allows us to connect with people, but also exposes us to negativity and harassment.
b. Social media is a double-edged sword; it can be a great tool for communication and networking, but it can also be a source of misinformation and cyberbullying.
10. Duck out
Meaning: to leave a place or situation quickly and quietly.
Examples:
a. He had to duck out of the party early because he wasn't feeling well.
b. He had to duck out of the meeting early to attend his daughter's graduation party.
11. Don't judge a book by its cover
Meaning: don't judge someone or something based on appearances.
Examples:
a. At first I thought the new teacher was strict and unfriendly, but after a few classes, I realized she was actually quite nice. I guess you can't judge a book by its cover.
b. The old car may not look like much, but it runs perfectly fine. Remember, don't judge a book by its cover.
12. Dog and pony show
Meaning: a display just to put on for show rather than meaningful in anyway.
Examples:
a. The presentation was just a dog and pony show; they didn't really have anything new to offer.
b. The politicians' speeches were all just a dog and pony show.
13. Down to the wire
Meaning: very close to a deadline or a finish line or something that's full of suspense.
Examples:
a. We were down to the wire with the project, but we managed to finish it on time.
b. The race was down to the wire, with the winner crossing the finish line just seconds ahead of the others.
14. Drop in the bucket
Meaning: a small or insignificant amount in relation to a larger whole.
Examples:
a. The amount of money we raised for charity was just a drop in the bucket compared to what we need.
b. Your one-time donation will be just a drop in the bucket for the organization's long-term funding needs.
15. Dry run
Meaning: a rehearsal or practice session before the real event
Examples:
a. We did a dry run of the presentation to make sure everything would go smoothly.
b. The team did a dry run of the game plan before the big match.
16. Duck and cover
Meaning: a safety drill to protect oneself from danger
Examples:
a. During the war, students were taught to duck and cover in case of a nuclear attack.
b. In earthquake-prone areas, people are advised to duck and cover under sturdy tables or desks.
17. Dull as dishwater
Meaning: very boring or uninteresting.
Examples:
a. The lecture was dull as dishwater; I struggled to stay awake the whole time.
b. The book was described as a thrilling mystery, but I found it dull as dishwater.
18. Dressed to the nines
Meaning: dressed very stylishly or elegantly.
Examples:
a. She was dressed to the nines for the gala event; everyone was admiring her outfit."
b. He's always dressed to the nines for work, even on casual Fridays.
19. Duck soup
Meaning: something that is easy to do or accomplish.
Examples:
a. After studying for months, the exam was duck soup for her.
b. The project was a piece of cake; it was duck soup to finish it.
20. Dutch courage
Meaning: the false/fake bravery or courage that comes from drinking alcohol.
Examples:
a. He only had Dutch courage when he confronted his boss after drinking.
b. She felt like she needed Dutch courage before giving her presentation.
Exercises:
A. Make sentences out of the below given idioms and phrases.
1. Dutch courage
2. Dwindle down
3. Dumb as doornail
4. Dead and buried
5. Dyed in the wool
B. Give the meanings of the following idioms and phrases.
1. Devil in the details
2. Devil-may-care
3. Diamond a dozen
4. Dead ringer
5. Double-edged sword
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