The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  dog eat dog Ruthless acquisition or competition, as in With shrinking markets, it’s dog eat dog for every company in this field. This contradicts a Latin proverb which maintains that dog does not eat dog, first recorded in English in 1543. Nevertheless, by 1732 it was put as “Dogs are hard drove when they eat dogs” (Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia).

  doghouse → See IN THE DOGHOUSE.

  dog in the manger One who prevents others from enjoying something despite having no use for it. For example, Why be a dog in the manager? If you aren’t going to use those tickets, let someone else have them. This expression alludes to Aesop’s fable about a snarling dog that prevents horses from eating fodder that is unpalatable to the dog itself. [Mid-1500s]

  dog it 1. Do less than is required; loaf or shirk. For example, I’m afraid our donors are dogging it this year. This expression originated in sports and soon was transferred to other endeavors. [Slang; c. 1900] 2. Move slowly, as in We just dogged it along from California to Oregon. 3. Run away, as in Let’s dog it out of here right now. This usage originated in American underworld slang in the 1920s, where it meant “to back down in cowardly fashion,” and acquired its present sense about 1930. 4. Same as PUT ON THE DOG.

  do good Act in an upright, moral way; engage in philanthropy. For example, Social workers are trained to help people to help themselves, not simply going around doing good. This term was first recorded in A.D. 725. Also see DO ANY GOOD; DO ONE GOOD.

  dog’s age → See under COON’S AGE.

  dog’s life A miserably unhappy existence, as in He’s been leading a dog’s life since his wife left him. This expression was first recorded in a 16th-century manuscript and alludes to the miserable subservient existence of dogs during this era. By the 1660s there was a proverb: “It’s a dog’s life, hunger and ease.”

  do in 1. Tire out, exhaust, as in Running errands all day did me in. [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see DONE IN. 2. Kill, as in Mystery writers are always thinking of new ways to do their characters in. [Slang; early 1900s] Also see def. 4. 3. Ruin utterly; also cheat or swindle. For example, The five-alarm fire did in the whole block, or His so-called friend really did him in. [First half of 1900s] 4. do oneself in. Commit suicide, as in She was always threatening to do herself in. [Slang; first half of 1900s]

  do justice to 1. Treat fairly or adequately, with full appreciation, as in That review doesn’t do the play justice. This expression was first recorded in John Dryden’s preface to Troilus and Cressida (1679): “I cannot leave this subject before I do justice to that Divine Poet.” 2. do oneself justice. Execute in accordance with one’s abilities, as in She finally got a position in which she could do herself justice. [Second half of 1800s]

  doldrums → See IN THE DOLDRUMS.

  dollar → In addition to the idiom beginning with DOLLARS, also see LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS; YOU(CAN) BET YOUR ASS (BOTTOM DOLLAR).

  dollars to doughnuts, it’s It’s a virtual certainty, as in It’s dollars to doughnuts that the team will make the playoffs. This metaphoric term pits dollars against doughnuts as in a bet. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

  dolled up Also, all dolled up. Dressed or fixed up smartly and, often, ostentatiously, usually for a special occasion. For example, There’s no need to get all dolled up—it’s just a picnic. This expression alludes to a person or object being as attractive as a pretty doll. It is also put verbally, to doll up, as in I wanted to doll up my apartment before the guests arrived. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see GUSSIED UP.

  done → In addition to the idioms beginning with DONE, also see EASIER SAID THAN DONE; GOOD AS DONE; HAVE DONE (WITH); NO SOONER SAID THAN DONE; NOT DONE; OVER AND DONE WITH; SEEN ONE, SEEN THEM ALL (BEEN THERE, DONE THAT); WHAT’S DONE IS DONE; WHEN ALL’S SAID AND DONE. Also see under DO.

  done deal An irrevocable agreement, as in Once you’ve signed the lease, it’s a done deal. This slangy expression, first recorded in 1979, may have come from done thing, originating in the late 1600s.

  done for 1. Exhausted, worn out, as in This old computer is just about done for. [Colloquial; c. 1800] Also see DONE IN. 2. Doomed to death or destruction, as in Before he went to the hospital it seemed as if he was done for. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

  done in Exhausted, very tired, as in After that hike I felt absolutely done in. [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see DONE FOR, def. 1.

  done to a T → See TO A T.

  donkey’s years A long time, as in I haven’t seen her in donkey’s years. This expression punningly alludes to the considerable length of the animal’s ears. [Early 1900s]

  do no good → See under DO ANY GOOD.

  don’t ask A phrase used to fend off questions about a situation one finds awkward, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory. For example, How did we do in the bridge tournament? Don’t ask! [Colloquial; 1960s] For a similar phrase, see FORGET IT.

  don’t ask, don’t tell Don’t pursue that avenue of inquiry. If you don’t ask I won’t tell you something forbidden or unpleasant. In the 1990s this imperative was used for a U.S. military policy concerning homosexuality. Accordingly personnel were not to be asked about their sexual orientation and could serve provided they did not reveal homosexuality. The policy was repealed Sept. 20, 2011. It has been extended to other situations, such as The funeral director has a don’t ask, don’t tell policy about the mechanics of cremation.

  don’t call us, we’ll call you We’ll let you know our decision when we’ve made one. The expression, dating from the mid-1900s and probably originating in auditions for a singing or acting role, nearly always signifies a rejection. It may also be addressed to a job applicant, as in We still have to see other applicants, so don’t call us, we’ll call you.

  don’t change horses at midstream → See CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM.

  don’t count your chickens → see COUNT YOUR CHICKENS.

  don’t cross that bridge till you come to it → see CROSS A BRIDGE WHEN ONE COMES TO IT.

  don’t get mad, get even → See under GET EVEN.

  don’t give up your day job Keep your current employment, because your alternative career, while you may prefer it, won’t pay your bills. Dating from the early 1970s, this expression is usually addressed to an aspiring artist of some kind, who is unlikely to make a living from painting, singing, acting, or writing. For example, That wasn’t a bad performance but you’d better not give up your day job.

  don’t hold your breath → See HOLD ONE’S BREATH.

  don’t let the grass grow under your feet Act now, don’t delay. For example, Write your applications today; don’t let the grass grow under your feet. This expression alludes to waiting so long that grass can grow. [c. 1600]

  don’t mention it → See under YOU’RE WELCOME.

  don’t put off → See PUT OFF.

  don’t take any wooden nickels Protect yourself against being cheated. Why this warning against counterfeit coins should choose a wooden nickel, meaning a five-cent piece, is not known but it has been put this way since the early 1900s and survives, although it is heard less often.

  doom and gloom Also, gloom and doom An expression of pessimism, especially regarding the future. The term appeared in a song in the musical Finian’s Rainbow (1947) by Harburg and Saidy, “I told you that gold could only bring you doom and gloom, gloom and doom.” The term is used in such contexts as Reports about the party’s poor prospects in the next election are a gloom and doom forecast.

  do one → In addition to the idioms beginning with DO ONE, also see under DO SOMEONE.

  do one good 1. Be of benefit to one, as in I’m sure some fresh air will do her good. [Late 1400s] 2. Also, do one’s heart good. Please, gratify, give satisfaction. For example, It does my heart good to see the young couple so happy.

  do one’s best Also, do one’s level best or one’s damnedest. Perform as well as one can, do the utmost possible, as in I’m doing my best to balance this statement, or She did her level best to pass the course, or He did his damnedest to get done in time. The first term d
ates from the 16th century, but the addition of level, here meaning “very,” occurred only in the mid-1800s; the variant dates from the late 1800s.

  do one’s bit Also, do one’s part. Make an individual contribution to an overall effort. For example, You can always rely on Anne to do her bit, or I’m anxious to do my part as a board member. [Early 1900s]

  do one’s duty 1. Do one’s tasks or what is expected of one. For example, He was only doing his duty when he made the children finish their work. [Early 1500s] 2. Defecate or urinate, as in Please keep the dog outdoors until he does his duty. This euphemism for attending to such needs is heard less often today. [1930s]

  do oneself in → See DO IN, def. 4.

  do one’s heart good → See DO ONE GOOD, def. 2.

  do one’s homework Be well prepared, as in Steve had done his homework before the meeting and could answer all of the client’s questions. This usage transfers a school assignment to a broader context. [c. 1930]

  do one’s thing Also, do one’s own thing. Pursue one’s interests or inclination; do what one does best or enjoys the most. For example, I really give him credit for doing his thing and not being discouraged by what the critics say, or Phyllis is busy doing her own thing, running the magazine and publishing books. Although this colloquialism became closely associated with the counterculture of the 1960s, it is actually much older. In one of his essays (1841) Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “But do your thing and I shall know you.” However, it came into wide use only during the mid-1900s.

  door → See AT DEATH’S DOOR; AT ONE’S DOOR; BACK DOOR; BEAT A PATH TO SOMEONE’S DOOR; BEHIND CLOSED DOORS; CLOSE THE DOOR ON; DARKEN SOMEONE’S DOOR; FOOT IN THE DOOR; KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR; LAY AT SOMEONE’S DOOR; LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN; LOCK THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSE HAS BOLTED; NEXT DOOR TO; OPEN DOORS; OPEN THE DOOR TO; SEE (SOMEONE) OUT (TO THE DOOR); SHOW SOMEONE OUT (TO THE DOOR); SHOW SOMEONE THE DOOR.

  do or die Exert supreme effort because failure is close at hand, as in Carol was going to set up the computer, do or die. This hyperbolic expression in effect says one will not be deterred by any obstacle. [c. 1600]

  doornail → See DEAD AS A DOORNAIL.

  doorstep → See under AT ONE’S DOOR (ON ONE’S DOORSTEP).

  door to door 1. Calling at each house, apartment, store, etc. in an area, in order to deliver, sell, or ask for something. For example, We were asked to go door to door to collect enough signatures. [c.1900] 2. Sent from a place of origin or pickup to a place of delivery. For example, They quoted me a price for door to door, as well as a lower one if I would pick up the goods myself. This usage is nearly always applied to a shipment of merchandise.

  do out of Cheat or deprive someone of something. For example, Jane tried to do me out of my inheritance but the lawyer wouldn’t let her. [Early 1800s]

  do over Also, do something over. 1. Also, do over again. Repeat something, as in This setup won’t work; I’ll have to do it over again. 2. Redecorate, as in We’ve decided to do over the living room. [Early 1900s]

  dope out 1. Work or figure out, as in I’ve been trying to dope out this new computer program. [Slang; c. 1900] 2. Also, dope up. Use narcotics or psychotropic drugs, as in They said the fraternity initiation may involve doping up. The first term dates from the early 1900s, the variant from about 1970.

  do’s and don’ts Rules or customs concerning some activity, as in It’s important to know the do’s and don’ts of diplomatic receptions. This expression alludes to what one should and should not do or say. [c. 1900]

  dose of one’s own medicine Also, taste of one’s own medicine. Repayment or retaliation, as in It’s time we gave them a dose of their own medicine and simply forget to call them back, or Joe was upset at being left out, but they were just giving him a taste of his own medicine. [Late 1800s]

  do someone → In addition to the idioms beginning with DO SOMEONE, also see under DO ONE.

  do someone a favor Perform a helpful service, as in Do me a favor and turn up the thermostat. [Second half of 1900s]

  do someone proud 1. Also, do credit to someone. Be a source of honor, distinction, or pride. For example, She did us proud, handling the problem with such aplomb, or Your new title does you credit. [Early 1800s] 2. Treat someone or oneself generously or extravagantly, as in You really did us proud with that banquet. [Early 1800s]

  do someone wrong Also, do someone damage or harm. Injure someone; be unfaithful or disloyal; act unjustly or unfairly toward someone. For example, John’s done me wrong, and I intend to tell him so, or She did him real damage when she started that rumor. The first term dates from the late 1300s; the substitutions of damage and harm are newer. Another version is do someone dirt, a colloquialism from the second half of the 1800s. However, while these locutions are still current, a more common modern usage is to turn them into verbal phrases—that is, wrong someone, harm someone, damage someone.

  do something over → See DO OVER.

  dot → In addition to the idiom beginning with DOT, also see ON THE DOT; SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE.

  do tell A phrase used to express surprise about something, as in Jane’s getting married again? Do tell. This expression does not necessarily ask the speaker to provide more details but merely expresses one’s astonishment. [Colloquial; first half of 1800s] For a synonym, see YOU DON’T SAY.

  do the dishes Wash the plates, glasses, and silverware used at a meal. For example, If you walk the dog, I’ll do the dishes.

  do the honors Perform a customary or ceremonial action, such as an introduction, breaking ground at a new site, or the like. For example, At home Mary leaves it to Bill to do the honors when they have guests. This expression uses honors in the sense of “courtesy.” [Mid-1600s]

  do the spadework Make the preliminary preparations or do the preliminary research for something. For example, The department head did all the spadework for this agreement. This expression transfers the heavy spading required to prepare for planting to other kinds of preparation. [c. 1900]

  do the trick Also, turn the trick. Bring about a desired result, succeed. For example, One more turn with the wrench should do the trick, or Bill wanted to finish all the errands in one day but he couldn’t quite turn the trick. The first expression dates from the early 1800s; the variant, from the first half of the 1900s, should not be confused with TURN A TRICK.

  do time Serve a prison sentence, as in Many of the gang members did time while they were still teenagers. This expression originated as underworld slang and is now standard usage. [c. 1860]

  do to death Originally, since the 1100s, to kill someone. Figuratively, since the 1800s, overdo something, as in If Bill keeps repeating that tune he will do it to death. See also BORE TO DEATH.

  dot the i’s and cross the t’s Be meticulous and precise, fill in all the particulars, as in Laura had dotted all the i’s and crossed the t’s, so she wondered what she’d done wrong. This expression presumably began as an admonition to schoolchildren to write carefully and is sometimes shortened. William Makepeace Thackeray had it in a magazine article (Scribner’s Magazine, 1849): “I have... dotted the i’s.” [Mid-1800s]

  double → In addition to the idioms beginning with DOUBLE, also see LEAD A DOUBLE LIFE; ON THE DOUBLE; SEE DOUBLE.

  double back Reverse one’s course, go back the way one has come. For example, The officer lost the suspect, who had doubled back on him. This term, at first put simply as to double, is used largely to describe a way of evading pursuit. [Late 1500s]

  double bill → See DOUBLE FEATURE.

  double cross A deliberate betrayal; violation of a promise or obligation, as in They had planned a double cross, intending to keep all of the money for themselves. This usage broadens the term’s earlier sense in sports gambling, where it alluded to the duplicity of a contestant who breaks his word after illicitly promising to lose. Both usages gave rise to the verb double-cross. [Late 1800s]

  double date A social engagement in which two couples go together, as in They went on a doubl
e date with her brother and his girlfriend. [c. 1920]

  double Dutch 1. Language that cannot be understood, gibberish, as in They might have been speaking double Dutch, for all I understood. This usage dates from the 1870s (an earlier version, however, had it as high Dutch) and is heard less often today than the synonym DOUBLE TALK. 2. A game of jump rope in which players jump over two ropes swung in a crisscross fashion.

  double duty Fulfilling two functions at the same time, as in Our pickup truck does double duty, since it is used for the business and for family outings.

  double-edged sword Also, two-edged sword. A statement or object or action that can be both an asset and a liability. This transfer from a weapon with two edges which can cut both ways has been used figuratively since the late 1600s. New York Times columnist Frank Bruni used it in a column: “Alcohol is a two-edged sword: catalyst for delight and engine of destruction” (February 18, 2011).

  double feature Also, double bill. A program consisting of two full-length films shown for the price of a single ticket. For example, It was a double feature and lasted five hours, or The women’s conference had a double bill, first speakers from China and then visiting guests from the rest of the world. This expression is occasionally loosely used for other paired events (as in the second example). [c. 1930]

  double in brass Serve in two capacities, as in In this company everyone is asked to double in brass occasionally. This expression was originally used in the traveling circus, where, for example, a clown was also expected to play an instrument in the street parade. The original allusion, however, is to an instrumentalist who plays more than one instrument in an ensemble, a practice particularly common among players of brass instruments. [Late 1800s]

  double life → See LEAD A DOUBLE LIFE.

  doublespeak → See DOUBLE TALK, def. 2.

  double standard A set of principles establishing different provisions for one group than another; also, specifically, allowing men more sexual freedom than women. For example, She complained that her father had a double standard—her brothers were allowed to date, but she was not, even though she was older. [Mid-1900s]