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’.
- Down in the Dumps
- Meaning: Feeling unhappy or depressed.
- Example: “He’s been down in the dumps ever since his pet turtle passed away.”
- 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.”
- Dead as a Doornail
- Meaning: Completely dead or no longer functioning.
- Example: “That old battery is as dead as a doornail.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Down to Earth
- Meaning: Practical, realistic, or modest.
- Example: “Despite her fame, she’s very down to earth.”
- 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.”
- Dressed to the Nines
- Meaning: Wearing very stylish or elegant clothes.
- Example: “She arrived at the party dressed to the nines.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
List of idioms Starting with D
Idiom | Meaning |
---|---|
Da Man Slang | An Accomplished Or Skillful Person. Generally Used In The Compliment “”You Da Man!”” |
Dance To Someone’S Tune | Consistently Follow Someone’S Directions Or Influence |
Dance With The Devil | Knowingly Do Something Immoral |
Dark Ages | When Something Was Not Understood, A Time When Knowledge Was Limited |
Dark Horse | A Surprise Candidate Or Competitor, Especially One Who Comes From Behind To Make A Strong Showing |
Darken Someone’S Door Step | Make An Unwanted Visit To Someone’S Home |
Dead Ahead | Directly Ahead, Either In A Literal Or A Figurative Sense |
Dead As The Dodo | Completely Extinct, Totally Gone |
Dead End Job | A Job That Offers No Opportunity For Advancement |
Dead Eye | A Good Shooter, A Good Marksman |
Dead Heat | An Exact Tie In A Race Or Competition |
Dead Of Winter | The Coldest, Darkest Part Of Winter |
Dead Ringer | A Duplicate Or Double, Something That Looks Just Like Another |
Dead Run | Running As Fast As Possible |
Dead Shot | A Good Shooter, A Good Marksman |
Deep Pockets | The New Owner Has Deep Pockets, So Fans Are Hoping The Football Team Will Improve Next Year With New Players |
Deliver The Goods | Provide What Is Expected |
Demolish Your Arguments | To Break Down Someone’S Argument To An Extent That It Is No Longer Accurate Or Correct |
Devil’S Advocate | Someone Who Argues A Point Not Out Of Conviction, But In Order To Air Various Points Of View |
Different Kettle Of Fish | Something Completely Different |
Digging Around | Looking For |
Digging Into | To Methodically Reveal Information |
Dirty Look | A Facial Manner That Signifies Disapproval |
Do 12-Ounce Curls | Drink Beer |
Do Something At The Drop Of A Hat | Do Something Without Having Planned Beforehand |
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You | Treat People Fairly. Also Known As “The Golden Rule” |
Dodge A Bullet | To Narrowly Escape Disaster |
Doesn’T Amount To A Hill Of Beans | Is Unimportant, Is Negligible |
Dog Days Of The Summer | The Hottest Day Of Summer |
Dog In The Manger | A Person Who Prevents Others From Using Something, Even Though The Person Himself Or Herself Does Not Want It |
Dog-And-Pony Show | A Flashy Presentation, Often In A Marketing Context |
Dog-Eat-Dog | Intensely Competitive |
Doggy Bag | A Bag To Take Home Leftovers From A Restaurant |
Don’T Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch | Don’T Make Plans That Depend On Something Good Happening Before You Know That It Has Actually Happened |
Don’T Cry Over Spilled Milk | Stop Worrying About Things In The Past Because They Cannot Be Changed |
Don’T Judge A Book By Its Cover | Don’T Be Deceived By Looks, Don’T Rely On Looks When Judging Someone Or Something |
Don’T Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth | Do 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 Basket | Don’T Risk Everything On The Success Of One Venture |
Don’T Run Before You Can Walk | Don’T Try To Do Something Difficult Before Mastering The Basics |
Don’T Beat A Dead Horse | Move On, This Subject Is Over |
Don’T Cry Over Spilt Milk | There’S No Reason To Complain About Something That Can’T Be Fixed |
Don’T Give Up Your Day Job | You’Re Not Very Good At This |
Don’T Let The Inmates Run The Asylum | Those Who Are In Charge Should Make The Decisions Rather Than Those In Subordinate Rolls |
Double-Dip | Improperly Get Income From Two Different Sources |
Double-Edged Sword | Something That Can Be Helpful Or Harmful, Something Beneficial That Also Has A Downside |
Down In The Dumps | Depressed, Sad |
Down The Road | In The Future In Your Lifetime |
Down To The Wire | At The Last Minute |
Drag One’S Feet Or Heels | To Do Something Reluctantly And Slowly |
Drag Your Feet | Do Something Very Reluctantly, Delay Doing Something |
Drain The Lizard | Urinate |
Draw A Blank | Be Unable To Remember Something |
Draw A Line In The Sand | Issue An Ultimatum, Specify An Absolute Limit In A Conflict |
Draw A Line Under Something | To Conclude Something And Move On To Something Else |
Draw A Long Bow | Exaggerate, Lie |
Draw The Line | To Set A Limit To What One Will Accept |
Dressed Up To The Nines | Someone Is Wearing Very Smart Or Glamorous Clothes |
Drink The Kool-Aid | Accept A Set Of Ideas Uncritically, Often Dangerous Ones |
Drive A Hard Bargain | To Arrange A Transaction So That It Benefits Oneself. |
Drive A Wedge Between | Try To Split Factions Of A United Group By Introducing An Issue On Which They Disagree |
Drive Someone Up The Wall | Deeply Irritate Someone |
Drop A Line | To Write A Letter Or Send An Email |
Drop The Ball | Fail To Fulfill One’S Responsibilities, Make A Mistake |
Dry Run | A Practice Execution Of A Procedure |
Dull | Something That Lacks Imagination, Boring |
Dutch Courage | Alcohol Drunk With The Intention Of Working Up The Nerve To Do Something |
Dutch Uncle | A Highly Critical Person |
Dyed-In-The-Wool | Consistent In An Affiliation Or Opinion Over A Long Period, Inveterate |
In Conclusion
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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