AMERICAN IDIOMS (D)
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Idioms starting with D
Here is our list of popular "D" idioms that are used in American English:
Dead: Empty; quiet (said of bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.)
Example: "It's really dead in here tonight." (It's empty in here tonight./there are very few people here tonight.)
Dead: Extremely, totally, very.
Example: "I'm dead tired." (I'm extremely tired.); "You're dead wrong." (You're totally wrong.)
(A) dead ringer (noun):
A look-alike.
Example: "He's a dead ringer for Leonardo Dicaprio." ( = He looks exactly like Leonardo Dicaprio.)
Decent (adj.): Pretty good.
(A) diamond in the rough:
A person (or thing) with good qualities and/or good potential, which cannot be seen right away.
Example: "They picked him because they think he's a diamond in the rough and that he'll be a great player in a couple of years."
(To) die of boredom:
To be very bored.
Example: "I often think I'm going to die of boredom in his class."
Dig (v.): To like. *this word is somewhat outdated*
Dirt cheap:
Very cheap (inexpensive).
Example: "The hotel we stayed in was dirt cheap, but our room was very nice."
Dirty: Overtly/openly sexual; obscene.
Example: "Those lyrics are really dirty."
Dis (v.): Short for "to disrespect"; To talk about someone in a disrespectful manner.
Ditch (v.): to leave, get rid of (usually said of something that is "slowing you down" or is "unnecessary").
Example: "The thieves ditched the car and got on a bus."; "He ditched her at the altar."
Do an about face (v.): To radically change one's opinion/position.
Example: "He said he would support the bill, so everyone was surprised when he did an about face and voted against it."
Don't hold your breath:
Don't wait for it to happen because it probably won't.
Example: "You think David will break up with Tina? Don't hold your breath!"
Don't let it get you down:
Don't let it upset you; don't allow it to make you feel bad.
(To) do the dishes:
To wash the dishes.
Example: "Could you do the dishes tonight?"
Dough (n.): Money.
Dork (n.): Strange person; someone without "social graces"; weirdo.
Down (v.): To eat/drink quickly.
Example: "We downed a couple of beers and left for the club."
(A) downer:
An event that causes one to be sad.
Example: "Your girlfriend broke up with you? What a downer!"
Down the drain:
Wasted. Lost forever.
Example: "I tried to get this business going for five years, but I went bankrupt. That's five years down the drain."
Doze off (v.): To fall asleep.
Example: "I dozed off during the movie."
(A) drag:
Boring; a disappointment.
Example: "The party was a real drag."
Drama queen: Someone who gets overly emotional/sentimental about things. Someone who thrives on the dramatic.
Example: "Betty is such a drama queen!"
(To) drive a hard bargain:
To be firm when bargaining about something.
Example: "You drive a hard bargain, but alright, I'll pay you $10 for the lamp."
(To) drive someone crazy:
To make someone very agitated, upset, or emotional (most often in a bad way).
Example: "That loud music is driving me crazy! Turn it down!"
(To) drop it:
To stop talking about something.
Example: "I told you to drop it! I don't want to talk about it."
(To) drown one's sorrows:
To get/ become drunk.
Example: "Drowning your sorrows won't solve anything."
(To) drop the ball:
To make a mistake. (WARNING: This idiom is overused in the business world).
Example: "P1: So it was John's fault? P2: Yes, John really dropped the ball on this one."
(A) dream come true:
A great thing; a dream or wish that has become reality.
Example: "Living in California is like a dream come true."
(To) dump someone: (very informal)
To end a relationship with someone; to break up with someone. To stop seeing someone (romantically).
Example: "She dumped me."
