Idioms Beginning With D

Idioms Beginning With D

English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Idioms Beginning With D with Meaning and Example

Here’s a list of “Idioms Beginning With D” in English:

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t

• Meaning: No matter what you do, there will be negative consequences.
• Example: “If I take the job, I’ll be overworked. If I don’t, I’ll be unemployed. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

Dark horse

• Meaning: A person who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
• Example: “She was a dark horse in the competition, surprising everyone with her victory.”

Dash one’s hopes

• Meaning: To destroy someone’s plans or dreams.
• Example: “The cancellation of the event dashed his hopes of seeing his favorite band.”

Day and night

• Meaning: Continually, all the time.
• Example: “He worked day and night to finish the project on time.”

Day in, day out

• Meaning: Every day, especially when it becomes monotonous.
• Example: “She goes to the gym day in, day out without fail.”

Dead and buried

• Meaning: Completely finished or forgotten.
• Example: “That old argument is dead and buried; let’s move on.”

Dead as a doornail

• Meaning: Completely dead or lifeless.
• Example: “When we found the old battery, it was dead as a doornail.”

Dead in the water

• Meaning: Unable to function or move forward.
• Example: “Without funding, our project is dead in the water.”

Dead on one’s feet

• Meaning: Extremely tired or exhausted.
• Example: “After working a double shift, she was dead on her feet.”

Dead ringer

• Meaning: An exact duplicate.
• Example: “He’s a dead ringer for his grandfather at that age.”

Dead to the world

• Meaning: Fast asleep.
• Example: “She was dead to the world after the long journey.”

Devil’s advocate

• Meaning: Someone who argues a point they don’t necessarily believe, just for the sake of argument.
• Example: “I’ll play devil’s advocate and question the effectiveness of your plan.”

Diamond in the rough

• Meaning: Someone or something with potential but needing refinement.
• Example: “He’s a diamond in the rough, needing just a bit of training.”

Die hard

• Meaning: Someone who is extremely loyal and determined.
• Example: “She’s a die-hard fan of the team, never missing a game.”

Dig in your heels

• Meaning: Refuse to change your position or opinion.
• Example: “Despite the criticism, he dug in his heels and stuck with his plan.”

Dime a dozen

• Meaning: Very common and not valuable.
• Example: “Those toys are a dime a dozen at the market.”

Dirt cheap

• Meaning: Very inexpensive.
• Example: “I bought this dress dirt cheap at the thrift store.”

Do a double take

• Meaning: Look again in surprise or disbelief.
• Example: “I had to do a double take when I saw her new haircut.”

Do or die

• Meaning: A critical situation with only one chance for success.
• Example: “This is a do-or-die match for the team.”

Dog days

• Meaning: The hottest days of summer.
• Example: “We stayed indoors during the dog days of summer.”

Dog-eat-dog

• Meaning: Very competitive where people are willing to harm each other to succeed.
• Example: “The corporate world is dog-eat-dog.”

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you

• Meaning: Don’t harm someone who is helping you.
• Example: “You shouldn’t insult your boss; don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

• Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen before it does.
• Example: “You might not get the job, so don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Don’t cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened.
• Example: “It’s unfortunate, but don’t cry over spilled milk.”

Don’t give up your day job

• Meaning: Continue with your regular job, rather than pursuing something risky.
• Example: “Your singing isn’t great; don’t give up your day job.”

Don’t judge a book by its cover

• Meaning: Don’t form an opinion based on appearance.
• Example: “He looks rough, but don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

• Meaning: Don’t criticize a gift.
• Example: “He gave you a car; don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

• Meaning: Don’t risk everything on one venture.
• Example: “Diversify your investments; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

Down and out

• Meaning: Without money or a place to live.
• Example: “After losing his job, he was down and out.”

Down at heel

• Meaning: Poor and wearing shabby clothes.
• Example: “His down-at-heel appearance worried his friends.”

Down in the dumps

• Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed.
• Example: “She’s been down in the dumps since her cat ran away.”

Down the hatch

• Meaning: Said before drinking something.
• Example: “Here’s to our success – down the hatch!”

Down to earth

• Meaning: Practical and realistic.
• Example: “She’s very down to earth despite her fame.”

Draw a blank

• Meaning: Be unable to remember something.
• Example: “I tried to recall his name, but I drew a blank.”

Draw the line

• Meaning: Set a limit on what is acceptable.
• Example: “You can borrow my car, but I draw the line at lending you money.”

Dressed to kill

• Meaning: Wearing very fashionable or attractive clothes.
• Example: “She arrived at the party dressed to kill.”

Dressed to the nines

• Meaning: Dressed very elegantly or smartly.
• Example: “They were dressed to the nines for the wedding.”

Drive someone up the wall

• Meaning: Make someone very annoyed or frustrated.
• Example: “The noise is driving me up the wall.”

Drop a bombshell

• Meaning: Make a surprising or shocking announcement.
• Example: “He dropped a bombshell when he announced he was quitting.”

Drop in the bucket

• Meaning: A very small part of something much bigger.
• Example: “The donation was just a drop in the bucket compared to what’s needed.”

Drop like flies

• Meaning: To fall down or collapse in large numbers.
• Example: “During the heatwave, people were dropping like flies.”

Dry run

• Meaning: A rehearsal or practice session.
• Example: “Let’s do a dry run before the actual presentation.”

Dutch courage

• Meaning: False bravery from alcohol.
• Example: “He needed Dutch courage to ask her out.”

Dye in the wool

• Meaning: Unchanging in a particular belief or opinion.
• Example: “He’s a dyed-in-the-wool supporter of the team.”

Da Man

• Meaning: Someone who is admired or very successful.
• Example: “He aced the exam; he’s da man!”

Dance to Someone’s Tune

• Meaning: To do what someone wants.
• Example: “He dances to his boss’s tune to keep his job.”

Dance with the Devil

• Meaning: To take a big risk.
• Example: “Investing in that scheme is like dancing with the devil.”

Darken Someone’s Door

• Meaning: Visit someone when you are not welcome.
• Example: “He was told never to darken their door again.”

Dead Ahead

• Meaning: Directly in front.
• Example: “The road was dead ahead.”

Dead as the Dodo

• Meaning: Completely extinct or obsolete.
• Example: “Those old computers are dead as the dodo.”

Dead Eye

• Meaning: Someone with very good aim.
• Example: “He’s a dead eye with a rifle.”

Dead Heat

• Meaning: A tie in a race or competition.
• Example: “The race ended in a dead heat.”

Dead of Winter

• Meaning: The coldest part of winter.
• Example: “They visited during the dead of winter.”

Dead Run

• Meaning: Running at full speed.
• Example: “He made a dead run to catch the bus.”

Dead Shot

• Meaning: Someone who never misses when shooting.
• Example: “She’s a dead shot with a bow and arrow.”

Deep Pockets

• Meaning: Wealthy.
• Example: “He has deep pockets and can afford to invest in startups.”

Deliver the Goods

• Meaning: Meet expectations or perform well.
• Example: “The new employee really delivered the goods on the project.”

Devil’s Advocate

• Meaning: Argue against something just for the sake of argument.
• Example: “I’ll play devil’s advocate to see how strong your argument is.”

Dirty Look

• Meaning: An expression of disapproval.
• Example: “She gave him a dirty look when he interrupted her.”

Do 12-Ounce Curls

• Meaning: Drink a lot of beer (since a beer can often weighs 12 ounces).
• Example: “They did 12-ounce curls all night at the bar.”

Dodge a Bullet

• Meaning: To narrowly avoid a difficult situation.
• Example: “He dodged a bullet when the car missed him by inches.”

Doesn’t Amount to a Hill of Beans

• Meaning: Something that is insignificant or worthless.
• Example: “All their planning doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if they don’t execute it.”

Dog Days of the Summer

• Meaning: The hottest period of the summer.
• Example: “We stayed inside during the dog days of summer.”

Dog in the Manger

• Meaning: Someone who prevents others from using something they have no use for.
• Example: “She’s like a dog in the manger, keeping the toys she never plays with.”

Dog-and-Pony Show

• Meaning: An elaborate presentation or event.
• Example: “The sales pitch was just a dog-and-pony show.”

Dog-Eat-Dog

• Meaning: Very competitive and ruthless.
• Example: “The business world is dog-eat-dog.”

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

• Meaning: Don’t form an opinion based on appearances.
• Example: “He looks rough, but don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk

• Meaning: Don’t be upset about things that cannot be changed.
• Example: “What’s done is done; don’t cry over spilled milk.”

Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

• Meaning: Don’t question the value of a gift.
• Example: “He gave you a car; don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Double-Dip

• Meaning: Receive income from two different sources.
• Example: “He’s double-dipping by collecting a salary and pension.”

Double-Edged Sword

• Meaning: Something that has both positive and negative effects.
• Example: “Technology is a double-edged sword; it simplifies life but can also be distracting.”

Down in the Dumps

• Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed.
• Example: “She’s been down in the dumps since her cat ran away.”

Down the Road

• Meaning: In the future.
• Example: “We’ll consider expanding the business down the road.”

Drag One’s Feet

• Meaning: Delay or be slow in doing something.
• Example: “He’s been dragging his feet on completing the project.”

Drain the Lizard

• Meaning: To urinate.
• Example: “I’ll be back in a minute; I need to drain the lizard.”

Draw a Blank

• Meaning: Be unable to think of something.
• Example: “I tried to remember his name, but I drew a blank.”

Draw a Line in the Sand

• Meaning: Set a limit or boundary.
• Example: “I have to draw a line in the sand; no more late nights at work.”

Draw a Line Under

• Meaning: Conclude something and move on.
• Example: “Let’s draw a line under this issue and move forward.”

Draw a Long Bow

• Meaning: Exaggerate or overstate something.
• Example: “He tends to draw a long bow when telling his stories.”

Draw the Line

• Meaning: Set a limit on what is acceptable.
• Example: “I draw the line at lying.”

Dressed Up to the Nines

• Meaning: Dressed very elegantly or smartly.
• Example: “They were dressed up to the nines for the wedding.”

Drink the Kool-Aid

• Meaning: To blindly follow or believe in something.
• Example: “He drank the Kool-Aid and now believes in the company’s questionable policies.”

Drive a Hard Bargain

• Meaning: Be a tough negotiator.
• Example: “She drives a hard bargain, but we agreed on a fair price.”

Drive a Wedge Between

• Meaning: Cause division or disagreement between people.
• Example: “His lies drove a wedge between the two friends.”

Drive Someone Up the Wall

• Meaning: Annoy or irritate someone greatly.
• Example: “The constant noise is driving me up the wall.”

Drop a Line

• Meaning: To contact someone.
• Example: “Drop me a line when you’re in town.”

Drop the Ball

• Meaning: Fail to do something.
• Example: “He dropped the ball on the project and missed the deadline.”

Dry Run

• Meaning: A rehearsal or practice session.
• Example: “We did a dry run before the actual presentation.”

Dutch Courage

• Meaning: False bravery from alcohol.
• Example: “He needed Dutch courage to ask her out.”

Dutch Uncle

• Meaning: Someone who gives frank and harsh advice.
• Example: “He spoke like a Dutch uncle, not mincing words about her performance.”

Dyed-In-The-Wool

• Meaning: Unchanging in a particular belief or opinion.
• Example: “He’s a dyed-in-the-wool conservative.”

Da Man

• Meaning: Someone who is admired or very successful.
• Example: “He aced the exam; he’s da man!”

Dance to Someone’s Tune

• Meaning: To do what someone wants.
• Example: “He dances to his boss’s tune to keep his job.”

List of Idioms Beginning With D

Download the Word of the day