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68+ Idioms That Start With D

    Idioms That Start With D

    Delving into the depths of language, idioms dazzle with their delightful blend of imagery and insight, adding a distinct flavor to our dialogues. Directing our attention to the fourth letter of the alphabet, this article is dedicated to idioms that derive their distinctiveness from the dynamic letter “D”.

    From “don’t cry over spilled milk” to “down in the dumps”, the letter “D” dishes out a diverse range of expressions that have danced their way into the annals of the English language. Designed for devotees of language, dialecticians, or anyone with a drive to decode conversational gems, this exploration promises to demystify the origins, depths, and delightful interpretations of these idioms. So, don your thinking caps as we dive deep into the diverse and dramatic realm of “D” idioms, discovering their histories and the dimensions they add to our daily dialect.

    Idioms Beginning With Letter D

    Delving into the delightful domain of English idioms, one discovers a depth of expressions that dazzle with their distinctiveness. The letter ‘D’ dishes out a diverse range of idioms, each dripping with its own unique essence and history. In this detailed article, we’ll explore the diverse and dynamic idioms that begin with the letter ‘D’.

    1. Down in the Dumps
      • Meaning: Feeling unhappy or depressed.
      • Example: “He’s been down in the dumps ever since his pet turtle passed away.”
    2. Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk
      • Meaning: Don’t waste your time worrying about things that have already happened and can’t be changed.
      • Example: “Yes, we made a mistake, but there’s no use crying over spilt milk.”
    3. Dead as a Doornail
      • Meaning: Completely dead or no longer functioning.
      • Example: “That old battery is as dead as a doornail.”
    4. Dog Days of Summer
      • Meaning: The hottest period of the summer.
      • Example: “With temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, it’s definitely the dog days of summer.”
    5. Drop in the Bucket
      • Meaning: A very small or insignificant amount compared to the amount needed.
      • Example: “The money I saved is just a drop in the bucket compared to what I need for the trip.”
    6. Drive Someone Up the Wall
      • Meaning: To irritate or annoy someone to a great extent.
      • Example: “The constant drilling noise from the neighbors is driving me up the wall.”
    7. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
      • Meaning: Don’t risk everything on the success of one venture.
      • Example: “Diversify your investments. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
    8. Dime a Dozen
      • Meaning: Something that’s abundant in quantity and, therefore, cheap or of low value.
      • Example: “These kinds of shirts are a dime a dozen at the flea market.”
    9. Down to Earth
      • Meaning: Practical, realistic, or modest.
      • Example: “Despite her fame, she’s very down to earth.”
    10. Draw the Line
      • Meaning: Set a boundary or limit.
      • Example: “You can borrow my clothes and books, but I draw the line at lending my laptop.”
    11. Dressed to the Nines
      • Meaning: Wearing very stylish or elegant clothes.
      • Example: “She arrived at the party dressed to the nines.”
    12. Dead in the Water
      • Meaning: Stalled with no hope of progressing.
      • Example: “Our plans for starting a new project are dead in the water until we secure more funding.”
    13. Dance to Someone’s Tune
      • Meaning: To always do what someone else tells you to, whether you want to or not.
      • Example: “He’s always dancing to his boss’s tune. He should stand up for himself.”
    14. Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
      • Meaning: Don’t assume that something will happen until it has happened.
      • Example: “You might have had a good interview, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Wait for the offer.”
    15. Down and Out
      • Meaning: Having no money, no job, and no prospects.
      • Example: “After losing his job and his home, he felt completely down and out.”
    Read:  46+ Idioms That Start With M

    List of idioms Starting with D

    IdiomMeaning
    Da Man SlangAn Accomplished Or Skillful Person. Generally Used In The Compliment “”You Da Man!””
    Dance To Someone’S TuneConsistently Follow Someone’S Directions Or Influence
    Dance With The DevilKnowingly Do Something Immoral
    Dark AgesWhen Something Was Not Understood, A Time When Knowledge Was Limited
    Dark HorseA Surprise Candidate Or Competitor, Especially One Who Comes From Behind To Make A Strong Showing
    Darken Someone’S Door StepMake An Unwanted Visit To Someone’S Home
    Dead AheadDirectly Ahead, Either In A Literal Or A Figurative Sense
    Dead As The DodoCompletely Extinct, Totally Gone
    Dead End JobA Job That Offers No Opportunity For Advancement
    Dead EyeA Good Shooter, A Good Marksman
    Dead HeatAn Exact Tie In A Race Or Competition
    Dead Of WinterThe Coldest, Darkest Part Of Winter
    Dead RingerA Duplicate Or Double, Something That Looks Just Like Another
    Dead RunRunning As Fast As Possible
    Dead ShotA Good Shooter, A Good Marksman
    Deep PocketsThe New Owner Has Deep Pockets, So Fans Are Hoping The Football Team Will Improve Next Year With New Players
    Deliver The GoodsProvide What Is Expected
    Demolish Your ArgumentsTo Break Down Someone’S Argument To An Extent That It Is No Longer Accurate Or Correct
    Devil’S AdvocateSomeone Who Argues A Point Not Out Of Conviction, But In Order To Air Various Points Of View
    Different Kettle Of FishSomething Completely Different
    Digging AroundLooking For
    Digging IntoTo Methodically Reveal Information
    Dirty LookA Facial Manner That Signifies Disapproval
    Do 12-Ounce CurlsDrink Beer
    Do Something At The Drop Of A HatDo Something Without Having Planned Beforehand
    Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto YouTreat People Fairly. Also Known As “The Golden Rule”
    Dodge A BulletTo Narrowly Escape Disaster
    Doesn’T Amount To A Hill Of BeansIs Unimportant, Is Negligible
    Dog Days Of The SummerThe Hottest Day Of Summer
    Dog In The MangerA Person Who Prevents Others From Using Something, Even Though The Person Himself Or Herself Does Not Want It
    Dog-And-Pony ShowA Flashy Presentation, Often In A Marketing Context
    Dog-Eat-DogIntensely Competitive
    Doggy BagA Bag To Take Home Leftovers From A Restaurant
    Don’T Count Your Chickens Before They HatchDon’T Make Plans That Depend On Something Good Happening Before You Know That It Has Actually Happened
    Don’T Cry Over Spilled MilkStop Worrying About Things In The Past Because They Cannot Be Changed
    Don’T Judge A Book By Its CoverDon’T Be Deceived By Looks, Don’T Rely On Looks When Judging Someone Or Something
    Don’T Look A Gift Horse In The MouthDo Not Question The Value Of A Gift. The Expression Comes From The Practice Of Determining The Age And Health Of A Horse By Looking At Its Teeth.
    Don’T Put All Your Eggs In One BasketDon’T Risk Everything On The Success Of One Venture
    Don’T Run Before You Can WalkDon’T Try To Do Something Difficult Before Mastering The Basics
    Don’T Beat A Dead HorseMove On, This Subject Is Over
    Don’T Cry Over Spilt MilkThere’S No Reason To Complain About Something That Can’T Be Fixed
    Don’T Give Up Your Day JobYou’Re Not Very Good At This
    Don’T Let The Inmates Run The AsylumThose Who Are In Charge Should Make The Decisions Rather Than Those In Subordinate Rolls
    Double-DipImproperly Get Income From Two Different Sources
    Double-Edged SwordSomething That Can Be Helpful Or Harmful, Something Beneficial That Also Has A Downside
    Down In The DumpsDepressed, Sad
    Down The RoadIn The Future In Your Lifetime
    Down To The WireAt The Last Minute
    Drag One’S Feet Or HeelsTo Do Something Reluctantly And Slowly
    Drag Your FeetDo Something Very Reluctantly, Delay Doing Something
    Drain The LizardUrinate
    Draw A BlankBe Unable To Remember Something
    Draw A Line In The SandIssue An Ultimatum, Specify An Absolute Limit In A Conflict
    Draw A Line Under SomethingTo Conclude Something And Move On To Something Else
    Draw A Long BowExaggerate, Lie
    Draw The LineTo Set A Limit To What One Will Accept
    Dressed Up To The NinesSomeone Is Wearing Very Smart Or Glamorous Clothes
    Drink The Kool-AidAccept A Set Of Ideas Uncritically, Often Dangerous Ones
    Drive A Hard BargainTo Arrange A Transaction So That It Benefits Oneself.
    Drive A Wedge BetweenTry To Split Factions Of A United Group By Introducing An Issue On Which They Disagree
    Drive Someone Up The WallDeeply Irritate Someone
    Drop A LineTo Write A Letter Or Send An Email
    Drop The BallFail To Fulfill One’S Responsibilities, Make A Mistake
    Dry RunA Practice Execution Of A Procedure
    DullSomething That Lacks Imagination, Boring
    Dutch CourageAlcohol Drunk With The Intention Of Working Up The Nerve To Do Something
    Dutch UncleA Highly Critical Person
    Dyed-In-The-WoolConsistent In An Affiliation Or Opinion Over A Long Period, Inveterate

    In Conclusion

    Read:  39+ Idioms That Start With N

    Diving into the ‘D’ idioms reveals the depth and diversity of the English language. These expressions, which have evolved over time and been shaped by cultural, historical, and social influences, add dynamism to our everyday conversations. For language enthusiasts and everyday speakers alike, embracing idioms offers a chance to enliven their speech, bringing color and character to each dialogue. As you incorporate these ‘D’ idioms into your lexicon, you’ll discover the delight in weaving words with wisdom and wit. Dive in and enjoy the dance of the ‘D’ idioms!

    Idioms That Start With

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