DAD
** dad (dad) (colloq.): father (also voc.) >Glenda’s dad bought her a new bike. >Hey, Dad, look at this!
DAD-BLAMED
— dad-blamed (dad´blāmd´) (colloq., dtd.): contemptible, detestable >I don’t want to go to any dad-blamed tea party.
DAD-BLASTED
— dad-blasted (dad´blas´tid) (colloq., dtd.): contemptible, detestable >Will you turn down that dad-blasted radio?
DAD-BURNED
— dad-burned (dad´bûrnd´) (colloq., dtd.): contemptible, detestable >Where’d I put my dad-burned glasses?
DADDY
** daddy (dad´ē) (colloq.): father (esp. among children) (also voc.) >Did your daddy bring you to school today? >I hurt my finger, Daddy!
DAFFY
— daffy (daf´ē) (colloq.): crazy, silly, foolish >Does your daffy friend still call himself Tarzan?
DAGNABBIT
— dagnabbit (dag´nab´it) (colloq., dtd.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, or irritation) >Dagnabbit! I’ve lost my durned glasses again.
DAGO
— dago (dā´gō) (sl., pej.): Italian-American, Italian >He’s gonna get it if he calls me a dago again! >He calls it dago wine.
DAISIES
— pushing up daisies (see PUSHING)
DAMAGE
* the damage(s) (colloq.): cost, payment due >A fine meal, waitress! Now, what’s the damage?
DAME
— dame (dām) (sl., pej., dtd.): woman >Sorry, honey—no dames allowed in the men’s section.
DAMMIT
— dammit! (see “DAMN (it)!”)
DAMN
— a damn(ed) sight better (colloq.): considerably better >The new gal’s a damned sight better than that last clerk. >He sings a damn sight better than his sister.
** damn(ed)1 (colloq.): very, extremely >That was a damned good speech. >Don’t drive so damn fast!
** damn(ed)2 (colloq., freq. vulg.): contemptible, detestable >We don’t want any damn drugs in our school.
* damn(ed)3 (colloq.): extraordinary, impressive >That damn guy can lift over 500! >That’s the damnedest dog—he must know a hundred tricks!
* damn(ed) well (colloq., freq. vulg.): most certainly (must do s/thing) >They damn well better pay for the damage. >He damned well ought to know—he’s the expert.
** damn (it)! (colloq., freq. vulg.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, irritation or disappointment) >Damn! I cut my finger. >Can’t you understand, damn it?
* damn near (colloq., freq. vulg.): almost, nearly >I damn near fell of the roof yesterday when I tripped over my hammer.
** give a damn (colloq., freq. vulg.): be concerned, care, take interest (freq. used in the neg.) >Don’t say I don’t give a damn about your feelings—I do too give a damn!
— worth a damn (see WORTH)
— (you’re) damn(ed) straight ...! (see STRAIGHT)
DAMNED (also see DAMN)
* (well,) I’ll be damned! (colloq., freq. vulg.): what a surprise! how interesting! >You mean that bum has a house in Beverly Hills? Well, I’ll be damned!
DAMNEDEST
* [one’s] damnedest (... dam´dist) (colloq.): [one’s] utmost, [one’s] best effort >She tried her damnedest but just couldn’t make it.
DANDER
— get [one’s] dander up (... dan´dәr ...) (colloq.): become angry or irritated >Mable gets her dander up every time another woman flirts with her husband.
— get [s/one’s] dander up (colloq.): anger or irritate [s/one] >It really got the judge’s dander up when the defendant called him “dude.”
DANDY
— dandy (colloq.): excellent, fine (also noun) >I’ve got a dandy idea for our vacation. >Isn’t their new car a dandy?
— fine and dandy (see FINE)
DANG
— dang(ed)1 (dang[d]) (colloq.): contemptible, detestable >I don’t want any of your dang excuses.
— dang(ed)2 (colloq.): very, extremely >It’s too dang hot for jogging.
— dang(ed)3 (colloq.): extraordinary, impressive >That danged comedian’s the best!
— dang(ed) well (colloq.): most certainly (must do s/thing) >You’re danged well going to pay me every cent you owe.
* dang (it)! (colloq.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, irritation or disappointment) >Turn down the TV, dang it! >Dang, she’s pretty!
— dang near (colloq.): almost, nearly >That fall dang near killed him.
— give a dang (colloq.): be concerned, care, take interest (freq. used in the neg.) >You just don’t give a dang about me, do you?
— worth a dang (wee WORTH)
DANGED (also see DANG)
— (well,) I’ll be danged! (... dangd) (colloq.): what a surprise! how interesting! >I’ll be danged! He made it after all.
DANGEDEST
— [one’s] dangedest (... dang´dist) (colloq.): [one’s] utmost, [one’s] best effort >We’ve done our dangedest, but we just can’t fix it.
DARK
— shot in the dark (see SHOT)
DARK MEAT
— dark meat (vulg., pej.): black person/people (seen as sex object[s]) (cf. “WHITE MEAT”) >He said he cruised the boulevard lookin’ for dark meat.
DARKY
— darky (där´kē) (sl., pej.): black person >That bigoted jerk said the darkies were takin’ over his neighborhood.
DARLING
* darling (colloq.): charming, nice >What a darling party, dear!
DARN
— a darn(ed) sight better (... därn[d] ...) (colloq.): considerably better >Joel’s a darn sight better player than him. >She’s doing a darned sight better than last week.
* darn(ed)1 (colloq.): contemptible, detestable >I just can’t get rid of those darned ants.
* darn(ed)2 (colloq.): very, extremely >You did a darned nice thing by staying to help.
* darn(ed)3 (colloq.): extraordinary, impressive >That darn kid of mine won first prize.
* darn(ed) well (colloq.): most certainly (must do s/thing) >You darn well better save your money if you want to take that trip.
** darn (it)! (colloq.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, irritation or disappointment) >Darn it! I missed my bus by two minutes.
* darn near (colloq.): almost, nearly >That stupid driver darn near hit us.
* give a darn (colloq.): be concerned, care, take interest (freq. used in the neg.) >I guess nobody gives a darn about what happens to him.
— worth a darn (see WORTH)
— (you’re) darn(ed) straight ...! (see STRAIGHT)
— you’re darn tooting ...! (see TOOTING)
DARNED (see also DARN)
* (well,) I’ll be darned! (... därnd) (colloq.): what a surprise! how interesting! >Well, I’ll be darned! There’s a hole in my shirt!
DARNEDEST
* [one’s] darnedest (... därn´dist) (colloq.): [one’s] utmost, [one’s] best effort >Do your darnedest, and you just might win.
DAY
— at the end of the day (see END)
— back in the day (see BACK)
— call it a day/night (see CALL)
* from day one (colloq.): from the very beginning, from the first day >I didn’t like that clown from day one.
— (go ahead,) make my day! (see MAKE)
— that’ll be the day! (see THAT’LL)
DAYLIGHT
— (can) see daylight (colloq.): be near the end, have finished the largest part (of a task) >I thought I’d never finish summarizing all these reports, but now I can see daylight.
DAYLIGHTS
* beat/knock the (living) daylights out of (colloq.): beat unconscious, beat severely >The girl’s boyfriend beat the living daylights out of Frank when he tried to kiss her.
* scare the (living) daylights out of (colloq.): scare very much, terrify >It scared the daylights out of me when I heard that growl behind me.
D-DAY
— D-day (colloq.): day of special meaning, day of a significant occurrence >Tomorrow’s D-day—my comprehensive exams.
DEAD
** dead1 (colloq.): extremely tired, exhausted >I’ve been on my feet all day—I’m dead!
** dead2 (sl.): doomed, assured of being killed or hurt >If ya touch my car, you’re dead!
— (as) dead as a doornail (colloq.): unequivocally dead >The lightning bolt knocked him dead as a doornail.
— (dead) giveaway (see GIVEAWAY)
— dead in the water (colloq.): no longer workable, failed, no longer under consideration >The senator’s proposal is dead in the water this session.
— dead to rights (colloq.): red-handed, unable to escape culpability >We’ve got him dead to rights on this charge.
* dead to the world (colloq.): sound asleep, unconscious >Nothing can wake him up—he’s dead to the world.
— drop dead! (see DROP)
— knock [s/one] dead (see KNOCK)
* over my dead body! (sl.): under no circumstances (will I allow s/thing)! >She’ll marry you over my dead body!
** wouldn’t be caught dead (sl.): would under no circumstances (be in a situation), would be very embarrassed or humiliated (to be in a situation) >I wouldn’t be caught dead drivin’ that piece of junk. >That snob wouldn’t be caught dead in a discount store.
DEADBEAT
* deadbeat1 (colloq.): person who does not pay his/her debts >I want those deadbeats evicted!
* deadbeat2 (colloq.): loafer, lazy person >Why doesn’t that deadbeat get a job?
DEAD DUCK
— dead duck (colloq.): person who is doomed, person who cannot escape death or failure >If they try an escape, they’re dead ducks.
DEAD-EYE
— dead-eye (colloq.): expert marksman >Larry’s a dead-eye with a pistol—he never misses.
DEADLY
— deadly (colloq.): extremely boring >That instructor’s deadly in the classroom.
DEAD MEAT
* dead meat (sl.): doomed, assured of being killed or hurt >Ya tell anyone about it, and you’re dead meat.
DEAD-ON
— dead-on (colloq.): exactly right, perfectly accurate >You’re dead-on—that’s exactly why it happened.
DEAD PRESIDENTS
— dead presidents (sl.): money (in the form of bills) >Ya got the dead presidents to pay for that cash?
DEAD RINGER
— dead ringer for (sl.): person who resembles (another) almost exactly >My supervisor’s a dead ringer for Frank Sinatra.
DEAL
** deal1 (colloq.): situation >The deal is I just can’t afford those payments. >What’s the deal? Why the crowd?
* deal2 (colloq.): treatment, disposition (toward s/one) >You got a lousy deal from that teacher. Why’d he flunk you?
** deal3 (vi, vt) (sl.): sell (illicit drugs) >That dude’s dirty. He deals and uses. >She deals crack mostly.
— big deal (see “BIG DEAL”)
— cut a deal (see CUT)
— deal [s/one] in (sl.): include [s/one] as participant >Hey, deal me in if you’re gonna go camping.
** it’s a deal (colloq.): I agree to that, that’s all right with me >Meet you at Victor’s at nine? It’s a deal.
* no deal (colloq.): (it is/was) unsuccessful or futile, (s/one) refused (it) >I asked him to give me a chance, but no deal.
— wheel and deal (see WHEEL)
DEALER
** dealer (sl.): illicit drug dealer >See that fancy car? It belongs to this big-time dealer.
DEAR JOHN LETTER
* Dear John letter (colloq.): letter in which a woman breaks off a relationship with a man >Pete got a Dear John letter from her while he was overseas.
DEATH
— be death on (colloq.): be extremely strict with >That coach is death on rookie players.
** ... [s/one] to death (colloq.): ... [s/one] greatly, ... [s/one] to the utmost >His present tickled her to death. >I was scared to death he’d got caught in the storm. >I think I bored the poor woman to death.
DEBUG
* debug1 (dē´bug´) (vt) (colloq.): detect and correct defects or minor problems (esp. in s/thing electronic or mechanical) >I got to debug the program before it will run right.
— debug2 (vt) (colloq.): detect and remove hidden microphones from >They checked the room over and debugged it before leaving.
DECAF
** decaf (dē´kaf´) (colloq.): decaffeinated coffee >You want regular coffee or decaf?
DECENT
** decent1 (colloq.): sufficiently dressed (to be seen) >Are you decent? Can I come in?
** decent2 (sl.): good, of fair quality >It was a pretty decent movie, but not great.
DECK
* deck (vt) (colloq.): knock to the floor (esp. with a fist) >The trucker decked him with one punch.
— hit the deck (see HIT)
— not be playing with a full deck (see PLAYING)
— on deck (colloq.): having (one’s) turn next, next scheduled, ready to take (one’s) turn >You’re on deck, Ross—as soon as Mark finishes, you’re on. >We got a guy on deck who can take over at any time.
— stack the deck/cards (see STACK)
DEEJAY
— deejay (see “D.J.”)
DEEP
— in deep1 (colloq.): greatly in debt >He’s really in deep with some loan shark.
— in deep2 (sl.): seriously involved >It’s gonna be hard for him to get outta the gang, ‘cause he’s in deep. >I think he’s in deep—he’s seen her every night for the last three weeks.
* in deep shit (... shit) (vulg.): in serious trouble, in a very dangerous situation >Drake’s gonna be in deep shit if they catch him stealin’ from the company.
DEEP END
— go off the deep end (colloq.): go crazy, start behaving very irrationally >Billings is in the boss’s office threatening him with an umbrella. He’s really gone off the deep end this time.
DEEP-SIX
— deep-six (vt) (sl.): get rid of, reject, throw away >I hear they’re gonna deep-six the subway project.
DEGREE
— to the nth degree (see NTH)
DELI
** deli (del´ē) (colloq.): delicatessen >Don’t fix dinner—I’ll pick up something at the deli on the way home.
DELISH
— delish (di lish´) (colloq.): delicious >This casserole is delish!
DELIVER
* deliver (the goods) (colloq.): do or provide what was promised or expected, perform well >You can count on Chuck, because he always delivers the goods. >Just tell me what you want done—I’ll deliver.
DEMO
** demo (dem´ō) (colloq.): demonstration, demonstrator, sample used for demonstration >It’s real easy to do. I saw a demo. >This car’s a demo, so it’s discounted.
DENT
* make a dent (in) (colloq.): reduce in the least notable amount or number, make some progress (in completing a task) (freq. used in the neg.) >I’ve been working on that stack of papers all day, and I haven’t even made a dent in it.
DESK JOCKEY
— desk jockey (colloq.): office worker, petty bureaucrat >Some desk jockey in the tax department probably lost the paperwork.
DETOX
* detox (dē´toks) (colloq.): detoxification, treatment to rid (s/one) of alcohol or drug dependence >Bret’s been sober ever since he went through that detox program.
DEVIL
— a devil of a ... (colloq.): a very troublesome ..., a very problematic ... >We’re going to have a devil of a time cleaning up this mess.
— speak of the devil! (see SPEAK)
* what/who/[etc.] (in) the devil ...? (colloq.): (intens. to express impatience, anger, or surprise) >What in the devil do you think you’re doing with my briefcase? >When the devil are they going to get here?
DIARRHEA
— diarrhea of the mouth (vulg.): annoying tendency to talk too much >You try to shut Jerry up! He’s got diarrhea of the mouth.
DIBS
* (have) dibs on (... dibz ...) (sl.): (I) claim, (I) have a right to >Our team has dibs on this basket. >Dibs on the aisle seat!
DICE
— no dice (sl.): (it is/was) unsuccessful or futile, (s/one) refused (it) >We tried to convince him to come with us, but no dice. >I already asked the boss about it, and he said no dice.
— roll the dice (see ROLL)
DICEY
— dicey (dī´sē) (colloq.): risky, uncertain >Sending in troops is a pretty dicey proposition.
DICK
** dick1 (dik) (vulg.): penis >He said he had a sore spot on his dick.
* dick2 (vulg.): contemptible or obnoxious man >What a dick he is! He doesn’t give a crap about anyone but himself.
— dick3 (sl.): detective >Some private dick’s been snoopin’ around here askin’ questions.
— dick4 (vt) (vulg.): have sex with (a woman) >He claims he dicked her last night.
— dick around (vi) (vulg.): pass time idly, work halfheartedly or unproductively >I’m tired of ya dickin’ around—go out and find a job!
— dick (around) with (vulg.): treat without due respect or seriousness, handle capriciously, toy with >Bill was dickin’ around with the engine and now it doesn’t work right. >Stop dickin’ with that guy or he’ll knock your teeth out.
DICKENS
— like the dickens (... dik´inz) (colloq.): wholeheartedly, to the utmost degree >He ran like the dickens when he saw the snake. >That sprain hurt like the dickens.
— ...er than the dickens (colloq.): extraordinarily ..., very ... >That prof’s exams are tougher than the dickens.
— ... the dickens out of [s/one, s/thing] (colloq.): ... [s/one, s/thing] to the utmost degree, ... [s/one, s/thing] extraordinarily >Heights scare the dickens out of me. >I love the dickens out of that kid.
— what/who/[etc.] (in) the dickens ...? (colloq.): (intens. to express impatience, anger, or surprise) >Who the dickens are you, and what in the dickens are you doing in my yard?
DICKHEAD
— dickhead (dik´hed´) (vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible person, stupid person (esp. a man) (also voc.) >Tell that dickhead to stop wastin’ time. >Cut it out, dickhead!
DIDDLE
— diddle around (did´l ...) (vi) (colloq.): pass time idly, work halfheartedly or unproductively >Why don’t you boys find a nice hobby instead of diddling around all day?
— diddle (around) with (colloq.): treat without due respect or seriousness, handle capriciously, toy with >You’d better not diddle around with me. >Don’t diddle with those gauges!
DIDDLY
— diddly (did´lē) (sl.): insignificant, worthless, contemptible >I ain’t gonna work for no diddly ten bucks an hour.
* ([neg.]) diddly (sl.): nothing at all >He don’t know diddly about cars. >That lazy bum did diddly to help.
DIDDLYSHIT
— ([neg.]) diddlyshit (... did´lē shit´) (vulg.): nothing at all >She never says diddlyshit about her job. >You can believe diddlyshit of what that clown says.
DIE
** (about) die (colloq.): have a strong emotional reaction (fear, shame, amusement, vexation, etc.) >I about died when my husband yelled at the host. >The film was so funny we died. >She’s going to die when she sees this picture of herself.
— die (off)/drop like flies (colloq.): die in large numbers (esp. over a short period of time) >During the typhoid outbreak, people were dying off like flies. >They dropped like flies in that battle.
— eat shit (and die)! (see EAT)
DIFF
— diff (dif) (colloq.): difference >A twenty or two tens—what’s the diff?
DIFFERENCE
— the same difference (see SAME)
DIFFERENT
* different strokes for different folks (sl.): there is a great variety of people and their preferences >So he’s got a pet snake. Different strokes for different folks, isn’t that so?
DIG
— dig1 (colloq.): critical or sarcastic remark, barb >Did you hear that dig? Fred just badmouthed your girlfriend’s clothes.
— dig2 (vi, vt) (sl.): understand, comprehend >Yeah, I dig—I know the feeling, man. >Do ya dig what I’m sayin’?
— dig3 (vt) (sl.): like, enjoy, be fond of >She digs modern jazz. >I could really dig that beautiful chick.
— dig4 (vt) (sl.): notice, take a look at (esp. in amusement) >Hey, dig that crazy hat he’s wearin’!
— dig down (deep) (colloq.): make sacrifices (to pay for s/thing) >They have to dig down deep to send their kid to that exclusive school.
* dig in(to) (colloq.): attack with enthusiasm, consume vigorously >The defense lawyer can hardly wait to dig into the case. >OK, everyone, dig in while it’s hot.
* dig up (vt) (colloq.): locate, find, obtain >Where’d you dig up these records? >I’ll see if I can dig up something on the suspect.
DIGGETY
— hot (diggety) dog! (see HOT DOG)
DIGS
— digs (sl.): residence, dwelling >Let’s go to your place—my digs are on the other side of town. >Nice digs ya got here!
DIKE
— dike (see “DYKE”)
DILDO
— dildo (dil´dō) (vulg.): artificial erect penis (used for sexual stimulation) >They were sellin’ all kinds of dildos at the porn shop.
DILLY
— dilly (dil´ē) (colloq.): extraordinary or remarkable thing or person >That was a dilly of a game. >Their new cook’s a dilly.
DIME
* a dime a dozen (colloq.): cheap, abundant, readily available >Applicants with college degrees are a dime a dozen these days.
— drop a dime on [s/one] (see DROP)
— on [s/one’s] (own) dime (sl.): at [s/one’s] expense, paid by [s/one] >You do the project with your own money, not on my dime. >Joe didn’t get a grant—he took care of it on his own dime.
— one/a thin dime (colloq.): the least amount of money >The best thing is that it won’t cost me one thin dime.
— stop/turn on a dime (colloq.): (can) stop/turn quickly, stop/turn (a vehicle) in a short distance >With disc brakes all around and the wide tires, this car can stop on a dime. >Great handling! It turns on a dime.
DIMWIT
— dimwit (dim´wit´) (sl.): stupid or dense person (also voc.) >That dimwit just don’t get what I’m sayin’. >Don’t ya see how it works, dimwit?
DIN-DIN
— din-din (din´din´) (colloq.): dinner, a meal (used esp. with small children) >Come on, Bobby—let’s have din-din.
DINERO
— dinero (di nâr´ō) (sl.): money >I’d like to buy it, but I ain’t got the dinero.
DING
* ding1 (ding) (colloq.): small dent, nick (esp. on an automobile) >The car’s in pretty good shape, even if it’s got a few dings on it.
— ding2 (sl.): critical remark >I don’t mind those other jerks badmouthin’ me, but that ding from Martha really hurt.
* ding3 (vt) (colloq.): make a small dent or nick in (esp. an automobile) >Someone dinged my car door with their door.
— ding4 (vt) (sl.): criticize >He got dinged for missin’ the deadline. >The boss’s always dingin’ her for her typing errors.
DING-A-LING
* ding-a-ling (ding´ә ling´) (sl.): stupid or silly person, eccentric person >Do we have to listen to that ding-a-ling? >That ding-a-ling’s got some real strange ideas.
DINGBAT
— dingbat (ding´bat´) (sl.): stupid or silly person >Don’t expect Casper to be of any help. The guy’s a total dingbat.
DING-DONG
— ding-dong (ding´dong´/dông´) (vulg.): penis >Zip up your fly, or your ding-dong’s liable to flop out.
DINKY
* dinky (ding´kē) (colloq.): small, insignificant, of poor quality >He sleeps in this dinky room that’s hardly big enough for his bed. >I don’t want one of those dinky plastic ones—give me your top-of-the-line model.
DIP
* dip1 (colloq.): brief swim >Let’s go for a dip in the ocean before eating.
— dip2 (sl.): annoyingly foolish or inane person >I don’t want that dip with us if we’re gonna try to meet some girls.
DIPPY
— dippy (dip´ē) (sl.): annoyingly foolish or inane, silly >Ya know that dippy kid that always gets on everybody’s nerves?
DIPSHIT
* dipshit (dip´shit´) (vulg.): obnoxious fool, annoyingly inane person (also adj., also voc.) >Did he really say that? What a dipshit! >I don’t want your dipshit brother hangin’ around here anymore. >Scram, dipshit!
DIRT
* dirt on [s/one] (colloq.): embarrassing or scandalous information about [s/one], compromising information about [s/one] >That busybody has dirt on everyone in the front office. >What’s the dirt on Peabody that’s making him so nervous?
— hit the dirt (see HIT)
— treat [s/one] like dirt (see TREAT)
DIRTBAG
— dirtbag (sl.): contemptible or reprehensible person (also voc.) >I’m gonna beat that dirtbag up some day. >Stay away from my sister, dirtbag!
DIRT BIKE
** dirt bike (colloq.): trail bike, motorcycle designed for rough terrain >They tore up the desert with their dirt bikes.
DIRT-CHEAP
* dirt-cheap (colloq.): very inexpensive (also adv.) >They’re dirt-cheap, but they don’t last. >Old man Boggs’ll clear out that dead brush for you dirt-cheap.
DIRTY
** dirty1 (colloq.): obscene or vulgar (also adv.) >He loves telling dirty jokes. >She said he talked dirty to her.
* dirty2 (colloq.): mean or unfair (also adv.) >That dirty guy cheated me! >Watch out for number nine. He plays dirty.
— dirty3 (sl.): guilty, involved in illegal activities >If ya ask me, that sleazy politician’s dirty as anything.
— dirty4 (colloq.): obtained illegally, stolen >I don’t want none of that dirty drug money. >Is this stuff so cheap because it’s dirty?
— dirty5 (sl.): in possession of or using illegal drugs >The parolee was dirty when they stopped him for speedin’, so they sent him back to the joint.
— do [s/one] dirty (sl.): do a reprehensible thing [to s/one], cheat or slander [s/one] >He really did ya dirty by tellin’ Marisa about your other girlfriend.
DIRTY BIRD
— dirty bird (sl.): contemptible person, person who has treated (s/one) reprehensibly >That dirty bird’s gonna pay for what he did.
DIRTY LOOK
** dirty look (colloq.): look (on s/one’s face) that shows dislike or contempt >Everyone gave him a dirty look when he burped at the table.
DIRTY OLD MAN
* dirty old man (colloq.): lecherous or obscene middle-aged or older man >Some dirty old man on the bus tried to touch me.
DIRTY POOL
— dirty pool (colloq.): unfair or unethical behavior or action >Hey, giving her hints is dirty pool.
DIRTY TRICKS
* dirty tricks (colloq.): espionage activities, unethical behavior (esp. in politics) >All his dirty tricks helped get him elected.
DIRTY WORK
** dirty work (colloq.): unpleasant or menial task or work >Anne just sits there giving orders while we do all the dirty work.
DISASTER AREA
* disaster area (colloq.): very messy or disorderly place >This room is a disaster area! And I just cleaned it three days ago.
DISC JOCKEY
** disc jockey (colloq.): host of a music program using recordings (esp. on the radio) (cf. “D.J.”) >That disc jockey plays nothing but oldies.
DISH
— dish (sl., dtd.): attractive woman >Wow! His cousin’s really a dish.
* dish out (vt) (colloq.): inflict, say or do (s/thing rigorous or harmful) (to s/one) >That obnoxious sister of hers can sure dish out the insults. >You can dish it out, but you can’t take it.
DISK JOCKEY
— disk jockey (see “DISC JOCKEY”)
DISS
— diss (dis) (vt) (sl.): speak disrespectfully to/about, insult, belittle >You diss my sister again and there’s gonna be trouble! >Don’t go dissin’ me, ya hear?
DISTANCE
* go the distance (colloq.): complete (a difficult or challenging task) >He lost the fight, but he went the distance—all fifteen rounds. >No backing out! We’re going the distance on this project.
DITCH
* ditch1 (vi, vt) (sl.): stay away (from school or a class) without permission, be truant (from) >He ditches whenever there’s gonna be a math test. >They ditched school and played video games.
* ditch2 (vt) (sl.): get rid of (esp. where s/thing cannot be traced to the person who does the ditching) >He ditched the gun in a trash can.
* ditch3 (vt) (sl.): escape from, abandon >She thought he loved her, but he ditched her in Tulsa.
DITTO
** ditto (for) (dit´ō ...) (colloq.): the same (for), (s/one) wants or thinks the same >Beth wants chocolate fudge—ditto for me. >Bob’s against the idea. Greg, ditto.
DIVE
— dive (sl.): cheap bar or café, low-class nightclub >Sid met her in some dive down by the harbor.
— take a dive1 (colloq.): decrease rapidly in value >That company’s stock took a dive when they announced their big third-quarter losses.
— take a dive2 (sl.): pretend to be knocked out (by illicit prearrangement, in boxing) >The challenger took a dive in the third round for two grand.
DIVINE
— divine (colloq.): wonderful, excellent, beautiful >This cheesecake is divine! >Doesn’t the bride look divine?
DIVVY
* divvy up (div´ē ...) (vi, vt) (sl.): divide, distribute portions (of) >Mom says ya gotta divvy up with the rest of us. >The crooks divvied up the money after the robbery.
DIXIE
— you just ain’t (a-)whistlin’ Dixie! (see WHISTLING)
DIZZY
— dizzy (colloq.): foolish, scatterbrained >He’s fallen for some dizzy blonde whose goal in life is to be on a game show.
D.J.
** D.J. (colloq.): host of a music program using recordings (esp. on the radio) (cf. “DISC JOCKEY”) >Wolfman Jack was the best D.J. ever.
DO
— do1 (sl.): hairdo, hairstyle >I like your new do. It makes ya look sexier.
** do2 (vt) (colloq.): travel at (a certain speed) >I was doing eighty, but he passed me flying.
** do3 (vt) (colloq.): decorate, furnish >We’re going to do Sally’s room in yellow. >She did her whole house in Early American.
** do4 (vt) (colloq.): spend (time in prison), serve a prison term (of a certain amount of time) >She’s doing time in the state pen. >He did eight years for armed robbery.
* do5 (vt) (sl.): use or take (an illicit drug) >I ain’t into heroin, man—I just do crack.
* do6 (vt) (colloq.): have (a meal) (with s/one, esp. as an informal meeting) >Want to do lunch next week? We can talk over your idea.
— do7 (vt) (colloq.): tour or visit (a place) >Last year we did Spain, but this summer we’re going to do Western Canada.
— do (a/the) ... (see entry under ... noun)
— do [s/one] dirty (see DIRTY)
— do [one’s] homework (see HOMEWORK)
* do in1 (vt) (colloq.): kill >All that drinking finally did him in. >She did in her husband for the insurance money.
* do in2 (vt) (colloq.): exhaust, tire out >All that yard work today has done me in.
** do it (sl.): have sex >Have you and your new boyfriend done it yet?
** do nothing/not do anything for (colloq.): have no appeal to, be of no interest to >She says my little jokes do nothing for her. >Most people like his singing, but it doesn’t do anything for me.
* do or die (colloq.): (the situation calls for one’s) best effort, (the situation allows only) complete success or complete failure (cf. “DO-OR-DIE”) >This is your only chance, Nancy—it’s do or die.
* do [s/one] out of (colloq.): swindle or cheat [s/one] out of >That crooked lawyer did them out of twelve hundred bucks.
— do [one’s] thing (see THING)
D.O.A.
* D.O.A. (colloq.): dead on arrival (at a hospital) >The guy that overdosed was D.O.A. at the E.R.
DOC
* doc (dok) (colloq.): doctor, physician (also voc.) >What’s the doc say about your rash? >Hi, doc, how’s the pill-pushing business?
DOCTOR
— be the doctor (colloq.): be the authority, be the one whose orders must be followed >OK, you’re the doctor—we’ll follow your instructions.
* (just) what the doctor ordered (colloq.): exactly what is/was needed, the perfect solution >This new software works great—it’s just what the doctor ordered.
— play doctor (colloq.): explore (one another’s) naked bodies, experiment with nudity (said of people of opposite sexes, esp. children) >The kids were out behind the garage playing doctor.
DODGE
— dodge a/the bullet (colloq.): narrowly escape serious harm or misfortune >I really dodged a bullet when the professor postponed our exam, ‘cause I didn’t have a chance to study at all.
— get out of Dodge (... doj) (sl.): flee, leave (a place) to avoid negative consequences >The candidate’s remarks pissed everyone off, so he decided to get out of Dodge.
DODO
— dodo (dō´dō) (colloq.): simpleton, dull-witted or stupid person >That guy’s such a dodo—he’ll fall for any trick.
DOG
* dog1 (sl., pej.): ugly woman >He’s said his sister set him up for a date with a real dog.
— dog2 (colloq.): contemptible or reprehensible man >I wouldn’t trust that dog going out with my sister.
— dog3 (sl.): very inferior product or creation >This drill is a dog—it doesn’t work worth a damn. >His last movie was a dog and lost a lot of money.
— (as) sick as a dog (see SICK)
* ... dog (colloq.): ... person (esp. a man, esp. seen enviously) >So she’s going to go out with you, huh, you lucky dog?
— dog style/fashion (vulg.): (in the) sexual position of the man entering the woman from behind >He said they had sex dog style.
— everybody/everyone and his dog (see EVERYBODY)
— put on the dog (colloq.): dress ostentatiously, assume an air of wealth or importance >Wow, look at you! You’re really putting on the dog tonight. >Who’s she trying to impress, putting on the dog like that?
DOG AND PONY SHOW
— dog and pony show (colloq.): elaborate publicity presentation, elaborate show designed to impress >Does the candidate really expect to get votes with that dog and pony show he brought to town?
DOGGONE
— doggone(d)1 (dog´gon[d]´/dôg´gôn[d]´) (colloq.): contemptible, detestable >I don’t want those doggone cats of yours on my property.
— doggone(d)2 (colloq.): extraordinary, impressive >That doggoned skier jumped a hundred yards.
— doggone(d)3 (colloq.): very, extremely >You’re doggone right I want a refund.
* doggone (it)! (colloq.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, or irritation) >Doggone it! Now you’ve gone and broken it.
— (well,) I’ll be doggone(d)! (colloq.): what a surprise! how interesting! >I’ll be doggoned! It’s my old buddy Tim.
DOGGY
— doggy style/fashion (dog´ē/dôg´ē ...) (vulg.): (in the) sexual position of the man entering the woman from behind >He said they tried it doggy style last night.
DOGGY BAG
** doggy bag (dog´ē/dôg´ē ...) (colloq.): bag to take leftovers home in (from a restaurant) >Oh, I can’t finish this now. I’ll ask for a doggy bag and eat the rest tomorrow.
DOGHOUSE
* in the doghouse (with) (sl.): in disfavor (with), having (s/one) mad at (one) >Marvin’s in the doghouse with his wife because he forgot their anniversary.
DO-GOODER
* do-gooder (dū´gŭd´әr) (colloq.): idealistic but naive reformer, sincere but self-righteous helper of the less fortunate >We get do-gooders wanting to help out sometimes, but they get scared off pretty quick by some of the rough characters that come in.
DOGS
— dogs (sl.): feet >My dogs are killin’ me after walkin’ around town all day.
— go to the dogs (colloq.): deteriorate, go to ruin >This used to be a classy place, but it’s gone to the dogs.
DOG’S
— a dog’s age (colloq.): a long time (esp. that s/thing has not recurred) >We haven’t visited old Jeb in a dog’s age.
DOING
— be doing (sl.): be happening >There’s nothin’ doin’ at the pool hall tonight. >What’s doin’, bro?
— nothing doing! (see NOTHING)
* take some doing (colloq.): require special effort or planning >It’ll take some doing, but we’ll get it approved by Friday.
DOLL
— doll1 (sl., dtd.): attractive person (esp. a woman) (also voc.) >That was quite a doll I saw ya with at the dance. >Can I buy ya a drink, doll?
— doll2 (colloq.): charming or generous person >You’re a doll to help me with my history paper.
DOLLARS
* ... dollars/bucks says (colloq.): I bet ... dollars that >Twenty dollars says you can’t do it again. >Five bucks says he strikes out.
— like a million dollars/bucks (see MILLION)
DOLLED
— get (all) dolled up (... dold ...) (sl.): get dressed and made up (esp. a woman, esp. elegantly or ostentatiously) >Gettin’ all dolled up for your boyfriend, sis?
DON
— don (don) (colloq.): head of an organized crime family or syndicate >The don don’t let nobody in the family question his authority.
DONE
* done for (colloq.): doomed, unable to escape death or ruin >If he loses the case, he’s done for.
* done in (colloq.): exhausted, tired out >After the 10-K race, she was done in.
DONE DEAL
— done deal (sl.): completed arrangement, agreed-upon deal >Once we get the go-ahead from Alvarez, it’ll be a done deal.
DONG
— dong (dong/dông) (vulg.): penis >He pulled out his dong right there and took a piss.
DONKEY
— donkey (colloq.): stupid person >How’d that donkey make it to supervisor?
DON’TS
— dos and don’ts (see DOS)
DOO
— doo (dū) (colloq.): excrement, dung >I got dog doo on my shoe.
DOODAD
— doodad (dū´dad´) (colloq.): gadget, object (for which one does not know the name) >His new car has all kinds of neat doodads. >Now, I think this doodad fits in this slot.
DOODLE
* doodle1 (dūd´l) (colloq.): scribbled or drawn figure (esp. made idly) >He made doodles on the notepad while he talked to his girl on the phone.
** doodle2 (vi) (colloq.): scribble or draw figures (esp. idly) >Don’t doodle on my papers!
DOO-DOO
— doo-doo1 (dū´dū´) (colloq.): excrement, dung (used esp. with small children) >Don’t walk in the doo-doo, Tommy!
— doo-doo2 (vi) (colloq.): defecate (used esp. with small children) >Daddy, that bird doo-dooed on our car!
DOOFUS
— doofus (dū´fәs) (sl.): stupid or foolish person >That doofus just asked her how she’d gotten so fat.
DOOHICKEY
* doohickey (dū´hik´ē) (colloq.): gadget, object (for which one does not know the name) >I need one of those doohickeys that help you get tight lids off jars.
DOOR
— beat down [s/one’s] door (see BEAT)
— get [one’s] foot in the door (see FOOT)
DO-OR-DIE
* do-or-die (colloq.): calling for (one’s) best effort, allowing only complete success or complete failure (cf. “DO or die”) >It’s a do-or-die situation, so let’s win it!
DOORMAT
— doormat (colloq.): person who is habitually mistreated (esp. without protest) >How does she put up with it? She’s nothing but a doormat for that lousy husband of hers.
DOORNAIL
— (as) dead as a doornail (see DEAD)
DOO-WOP
— doo-wop (dū´wop´) (colloq.): music style of the 1950s emphasizing vocal harmony >They played some great old doo-wop hits at the party.
DOOZIE
— doozie (dū´zē) (sl.): extraordinary or impressive thing >That show was a doozie! >That was a doozie of a fight we saw!
DOOZY
— doozy (see “DOOZIE”)
DOPE
** dope1 (sl.): illicit drugs >They busted him for sellin’ dope to kids.
* dope2 (colloq.): stupid or foolish person, gullible person >What a dope! He believed that B.S. about George being from Antarctica.
— dope3 (sl.): pertinent information, news (esp. when confidential or little known) >Hey, ya got any dope on that new section head? >I got the latest dope on the contract talks.
DOPED
* doped up (sl.): under the influence of drugs >They say the guy that pulled the robbery was all doped up. >The doctors have her so doped up she can hardly speak.
DOPEHEAD
— dopehead (sl.): drug addict or abuser >You’re gonna get into trouble hangin’ around with that dopehead.
DOPER
— doper (dō´pәr) (sl.): drug addict or abuser >They arrested a lot of dopers out on the street last night.
DOPEY
— dopey (dō´pē) (sl.): silly, scatterbrained, dull-witted >What does she see in that dopey jerk?
DOPY
— dopy (see “DOPEY”)
DORK
* dork (dôrk) (sl.): ridiculous person, irritating or unfashionable oddball >She’s cool, but her brother’s a real dork.
DORKY
* dorky (dôr´kē) (sl.): ridiculous, foolish, unfashionable >Why do ya wear those dorky checkered shirts?
DORM
** dorm (dôrm) (colloq.): dormitory (esp. at a school or university) >Next year I’m moving out of the dorm and finding my own apartment.
DOS
** dos and don’ts (dūz´ ... dōnts´) (colloq.): rules, regulations, recommendations >Now here are a few dos and don’ts while you’re here at camp.
DOT
— cross [one’s] Ts and dot [one’s] Is (see CROSS)
* on the dot (colloq.): precisely (with hours and minutes) >He got here at eight-thirty on the dot.
DOTS
— connect (all) the dots (see CONNECT)
DOUBLE
— double down (vi) (colloq.): stubbornly risk even more, not back down from (one’s) position (despite risk or opposition) >There was a big outcry over the candidate’s proposed immigration policy, but he doubled down and called for even more deportations.
— double/triple whammy (see WHAMMY)
* on the double (colloq.): quickly, immediately (used esp. in a command) >Call an ambulance on the double!
DOUBLE CROSS
* double cross (colloq.): betrayal or cheating of an associate >What a double cross when Bubba left town with all the dough!
DOUBLE-CROSS
* double-cross (vt) (colloq.): betray or cheat (an associate) >He’ll never forget how his so-called buddies double-crossed him.
DOUBLE-CROSSING
* double-crossing (colloq.): treacherous, capable of betraying or cheating an associate >Wait till I get my hands on that double-crossing bastard!
DOUBLE DATE
* double date (colloq.): date that includes two couples >Me and Marge went on a double date with Paul and his girl.
DOUBLE-DATE
* double-date (vi) (colloq.): go on a date that includes two couples >My wife and I used to double-date with them a lot when we were in high school.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
— double trouble (colloq.): very troublesome or dangerous person or thing >That mean dude’s double trouble when he’s mad. >We’re going to have double trouble if those circuits get wet.
DOUCHE BAG
— douche bag (dūsh ...) (sl., freq. vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible person (also voc.) >If that douche bag gets in my way I’ll deck him. >Stay away from her, douche bag!
DOUGH
* dough (sl.): money >Myron was makin’ lots of dough sellin’ real estate.
DOWN
— down1 (vt) (colloq.): defeat (in sports) >We downed them six to two.
** down2 (colloq.): out of order >The express elevator is down today. >We have a computer down in the main office.
— be down with (sl.): approve of, accept >If ya wanna party tonight, I’m down with that.
— (down) in the dumps (see DUMPS)
— down in the mouth (colloq.): depressed, dejected, discouraged >He’s really been down in the mouth since he broke up with his girl.
* down on (colloq.): critical of or averse to >Why are you so down on Cary? What’s he ever done to you?
— down the hatch! (colloq.): drink up! let’s drink! >Here’s to my buddies—down the hatch!
* down the line1 (colloq.): in the future >I figure this house will be worth a lot a few years down the line.
— down the line2 (colloq.): further ahead (along the same road) >You’ll see the turnoff about four miles down the line.
* down to the wire (colloq.): right to the last minute, very near the deadline >I went down to the wire, but I met the deadline. >This thing’s coming down to the wire. If we don’t book the place by tonight, we’ll have to call the party off.
— get down (vi) (sl.): start dancing, start having a great time, enjoy (oneself) without inhibition >Me and my chick really got down at the party.
— get down to brass tacks (see BRASS TACKS)
— go down for (sl.): be convicted of (a crime) >If the detectives can make the case, he’ll go down for first-degree murder.
— go down on (vulg.): perform cunnilingus or fellatio on >He said they got in bed and he went down on her. >She said they got in bed and she went down on him.
— (go) down the drain (see DRAIN)
— (go) in(to)/down the toilet (see TOILET)
— (go) down the tube(s) (see TUBE)
— have [s/thing] down cold (see COLD)
— have [s/thing] down pat (see PAT)
— hold it down (see HOLD)
— put down (see PUT)
— (right) up/down [s/one’s] alley (see ALLEY)
— sell [s/one] down the river (see SELL)
— take/knock [s/one] down a peg (or two) (see TAKE)
DOWNER
* downer1 (dou´nәr) (sl.): depressant drug (esp. a barbiturate in pill form) >He was actin’ real hyper, so they gave him a downer.
* downer2 (sl.): depressing person or experience >Seein’ that old man die was a real downer.
DOWNSIDE
* downside (colloq.): negative side, drawback, cons (of a situation or matter) (cf. “UPSIDE”) >You might make a bundle of money on this deal, but the downside is that it’s real risky.
DOWN UNDER
— down under (colloq.): in/to Australia or New Zealand >I hear you raise a lot of sheep down under. >They went down under to see the Great Barrier Reef.
DOX
— dox (doks) (vt) (colloq.): publicly reveal personal information about (s/one) (esp. on the internet, esp. maliciously) >They tried to punish the whistlerblower by doxing him.
DOZEN
— a dime a dozen (see DIME)
DOZER
— dozer (dō´zәr) (colloq.): bulldozer >The dozers knocked the old place down in no time.
DRAG
* drag1 (sl.): unpleasant or bothersome person or thing, irritating or boring situation >That boring jerk’s a real drag. >Ya gotta work on Sunday? What a drag!
* drag2 (colloq.): puff, inhalation (of smoke from a smoking material) >He tried to get me to take a drag on his cigar.
* drag3 (sl.): women’s clothing (worn by a man) >He showed up at the party in drag.
— drag [s/one] [s/where] (colloq.): take [s/one] [s/where] against his/her will, force [s/one] to accompany (one) [s/where] >My wife dragged me to some artsy-fartsy jewelry designer’s show last night.
— drag [one’s] ass (vulg.): proceed very slowly (due to exhaustion), show fatigue >By the end of the three-week tour, everyone was draggin’ their ass.
— drag [one’s] butt (sl., freq. vulg.): proceed very slowly (due to exhaustion), show fatigue >Don’t start draggin’ your butt. We gotta finish.
* drag [one’s] feet (colloq.): proceed slowly, be slow or uncooperative (in some venture) >I would have had this settled months ago, but my lawyer’s been dragging his feet.
* drag [s/thing] out of (colloq.): extract (information) from (s/one who is reluctant or uncooperative) >It took me an hour to drag the whole story out of Rose. >The cops’ll drag it out of you.
— drag through the mud (vt) (colloq.): harm the reputation of, defame, slander >He ran a dirty campaign, dragging his opponent through the mud every chance he got.
DRAGGED
— something/what the cat dragged in (see CAT)
DRAG QUEEN
— drag queen (sl.) male entertainer dressed and made up as a woman >The club featured a drag queen that sang show tunes.
DRAIN
* (go) down the drain (colloq.): (become) wasted or ruined, (be) lost or squandered >The poor guy’s business is going down the drain. >The shirt fell apart the first time I wore it—that’s thirty bucks down the drain.
DRAW
— beat [s/one] to the draw (see BEAT)
* draw [s/one] a picture (colloq.): explain (s/thing) to [s/one] in extremely simple terms >Do I have to draw you a picture? You push in the clutch before you shift gears!
— quick on the draw/trigger (see QUICK)
— slow on the draw (see SLOW)
DRAWING BOARD
— it’s back to the (old) drawing board (see BACK)
DREAMBOAT
— dreamboat (sl.): very attractive or desirable person (for a romantic relationship) (esp. a man) >The guy ya introduced me to is a real dreamboat!
DREAMS
— in your dreams! (sl.): under no circumstance (will what you wish come true)! >Her, go out with a loser like you? In your dreams!
DREAMY
— dreamy (colloq.): wonderful, very attractive >Sherry thinks he has such dreamy eyes.
DRESS
* dress to kill (sl.): dress exceedingly elegantly, dress so as to be irresistible >He dresses to kill and really catches the women’s eyes. >Laura must spend a fortune on clothes—she’s always dressed to kill.
DRIFT
* catch/get [s/one’s] drift (colloq.): perceive what [s/one] means, understand what [s/one] is alluding to (esp. when he/she does not wish to say it directly) >She’s a very affectionate girl, if you catch my drift.
DRILL
— know the drill (colloq.): be familiar with (a routine), know standard procedure >You don’t need to explain it to me—I know the drill.
DRINK
— drink (colloq.): drink alcohol >Her religion doesn’t allow her to drink. >He gets mean when he drinks.
* drink like a fish (colloq.): drink alcohol excessively >Her old man drinks like a fish, but she won’t touch a drop.
— drink [s/one] under the table (sl.): hold (one’s) liquor better than [s/one], not get drunk as readily as [s/one] >She can drink most men I know under the table.
— in(to) the drink (colloq.): in(to) the water (of a body of water) >He fell out of the boat and right into the drink.
— long drink of water (see LONG)
DRIP
— drip (sl.): irritating or socially unattractive person, annoying bore >Do we have to invite Jack to the party? He’s such a drip.
DRIVE
* drive [s/one] up the/a wall (sl.): make [s/one] frantic, exhaust [s/one’s] patience, make [s/one] lose [his/her] composure, drive [s/one] crazy >That dog barkin’ next door is drivin’ me up a wall. >The insensitive jerk finally drove her up the wall.
DRIVER’S SEAT
— in the driver’s seat (colloq.): in control or authority, in charge >They fired the manager, so Murray’s in the driver’s seat now.
DROOL
* drool (over) (colloq.): show great desire (for), covet (s/thing) >She drooled over those expensive Italian shoes. >That beautiful model’s got all the guys drooling.
DROP
— drop1 (vt) (colloq.): knock to the ground (with a blow or weapon) >She dropped him with a punch right in the eye.
— drop2 (vt) (sl.): take (L.S.D.) (orally) >He said he dropped a little acid when he was young.
— drop3 (vt) (sl.): spend (esp. an exorbitant amount of money) >We dropped over three hundred bucks in that place for dinner and drinks last night.
— (about) drop [one’s] teeth (colloq.): be very surprised, be astonished >He about dropped his teeth when she lit up a cigar.
* at the drop of a hat (colloq.): with the slightest motivation, (reacting) without hesitation >He loves to fish—he’ll go fishing at the drop of a hat.
— drop a dime on [s/one] (sl.): inform on [s/one], betray [s/one] (to authorities) >She dropped a dime on her neighbor when she found out he was fencin' stolen goods.
* drop [s/one] a line (colloq.): write and send [s/one] a message or short letter >Drop me a line every now and then and let me know how you’re doing.
* drop dead! (colloq.): (interj. to express great anger or contempt to s/one) >You want me to go out with that stupid brother of yours? Drop dead! >Drop dead, dummy!
— (drop/dump [s/thing]) in [s/one’s] lap (see LAP)
— die (off)/drop like flies (see DIE)
— drop out (vi) (colloq.): leave a conventional life-style, remove (oneself) from conventional pursuits >He quit his job, left his wife, and joined a commune—completely dropped out.
— drop the ball (colloq.): fail in (one’s) responsibility, perform poorly >This deal’s up to you, Thomas—don’t drop the ball or we’ll lose big bucks.
— drop the F-bomb (sl.): use the word “fuck” (or one of its derivatives) (a euphemism) >I can’t believe the senator dropped the f-bomb right there on the senate floor!
— get the drop on (colloq.): get (s/one) at a disadvantage (esp. due to timing) >Another firm’s researching this, too, but we got the drop on them and are marketing ours next month.
DROP-DEAD
— drop-dead (colloq.): awe-inspiring, astonishing, very impressive (esp. in beauty) (also adv.) >She was wearing a drop-dead, strapless black evening gown, and she was drop-dead beautiful.
DRUGGIE
* druggie (drug´ē) (sl.): habitual drug user (esp. illicit drugs) >That’s where all the druggies go to smoke pot.
DRUNK
— (as) drunk as a skunk (sl.): very drunk >Old Bowers came in drunk as a skunk and passed out right on the floor.
DRUNK TANK
— drunk tank (colloq.): large jail cell used to hold persons arrested for drunkenness >They threw him in the drunk tank to sober up.
DRUTHERS
— if [one] had [his/her] druthers (... druð´әrz) (colloq.): if [one] could have [his/her] preference, if [one] could choose >If Mathers had his druthers, he’d be living back in Texas.
DRY
* dry1 (colloq.): having abstained from alcohol (for a certain period) >Old Claude used to be quite a boozer, but he’s been dry now for over two years.
* dry2 (colloq.): prohibiting the sale or consumption of alcohol >This here’s a dry town—not a drop to be bought anywhere.
* (as) dry as a bone (colloq.): very dry >I hope it rains soon—things are as dry as a bone around here.
* dry out (vi) (colloq.): become detoxified from alcohol used abusively >She’d been drinking pretty heavy, so they sent her to some clinic to dry out.
— dry up (vi) (sl.): stop (one’s) annoying talking >He kept goin’ on and on until we finally told him to dry up.
— hang/string [s/one] out to dry (see HANG)
DUD
* dud1 (dud) (colloq.): person or thing that is ineffective or unsuccessful >Sidney’s been a dud at every job he’s tried. >Let’s take off—this party’s a dud.
— dud2 (colloq.): explosive that does not detonate >All the firecrackers went off except for a couple of duds.
DUDE
* dude (dūd) (sl.): guy, man (also voc.) >Who’s the new dude at work? >Like, that’s totally awesome, dudes!
DUDED
— duded up (dū´dәd ...) (sl.): dressed elegantly >Why’d ya get all duded up? Got a hot date?
DUDS
— duds (dudz) (colloq.): clothes >Look at these rags! I got to get me some new duds.
DUES
— pay [one’s] dues (see PAY)
DUFF
— duff (duf) (sl.): rump, buttocks >Why doesn’t he get off his duff and look for a job?
DUFUS
— dufus (see “DOOFUS”)
DUKE
— duke (vt) (sl.): hit with the fist >He badmouthed me, so I duked him.
— duke it out (sl.): fight with the fists >They pushed each other a couple of times, then started dukin’ it out.
DUKES
— dukes (sl.): fists (when used for fighting) >Put up your dukes and fight!
DULLSVILLE
— dullsville (dulz´vil´) (sl.): boring person(s) or thing(s) >The slides of their vacation were dullsville.
DUMB
** dumb1 (colloq.): stupid >That’s the dumbest reason for quitting a job that I ever heard.
** dumb2 (colloq.): contemptible, detestable >Get your dumb books off my bed! >I don’t want to go to his dumb party.
— dumb down (vt) (colloq.): reduce the difficulty of (esp. to allow more people to succeed) >The college wants some of the profs to dumb down their courses so the school’s graduation rate will rise.
* play dumb (colloq.): pretend not to know, pretend to be stupid >Ben knows about this, but he’s playing dumb. >She plays dumb, and the guys love it.
DUMB-ASS
* dumb-ass (vulg.): stupid person (also adj.) >That dumb-ass couldn’t answer the easiest questions. >I don’t want your dumb-ass brother messin’ things up.
DUMBBELL
— dumbbell (colloq.): stupid person (also voc.) >What do you expect from a dumbbell like her? >That’s my seat, dumbbell!
DUMB BUNNY
— dumb bunny (colloq.): stupid person, fool >Some dumb bunny got this all mixed up.
DUMB CLUCK
— dumb cluck (sl.): stupid person, fool >Can ya explain it so this dumb cluck will get it? >You were a dumb cluck to trust him.
DUMB-DUMB
— dumb-dumb (see “DUM-DUM”)
DUMBHEAD
— dumbhead (sl.): stupid or inept person, fool (also voc.) >Show that dumbhead how to do it. >You fell for it, dumbhead!
DUMBO
— dumbo (dum´bō) (sl.): stupid person >Only a dumbo like him couldn’t figure it out.
DUMB-SHIT
* dumb-shit (dum´shit´) (vulg.): stupid person (also adj.) >Can ya believe what that dumb-shit just said? >Get outta here with your dumb-shit schemes.
DUM-DUM
— dum-dum (dum´dum´) (colloq.): stupid person (also adj.) >Why does that dum-dum insist on repeating his dum-dum ideas?
DUMMY
* dummy (dum´ē) (colloq.): stupid person (also voc.) >How did a dummy like him get on the planning committee? >Get it right, dummy!
DUMP
* dump1 (colloq.): dilapidated or messy place, disreputable establishment >Who would want to live in this dump? >What’s a nice girl like you doing in a dump like this?
* dump2 (vt) (colloq.): reject, get rid of, fire >She got dumped by her boyfriend. >If Bernstein can’t get the job done, we’ll dump him and get someone else.
— (drop/dump [s/thing]) in [s/one’s] lap (see LAP)
* dump on1 (sl.): tell all (one’s) problems to (esp. inconsiderately) >Why does Myra always dump on me when she’s depressed?
— dump on2 (sl.): criticize severely, verbally abuse >He dumps on his poor secretary every time something goes wrong.
— take a dump (vulg.): defecate >Where’s the head? I gotta take a dump.
DUMPS
* (down) in the dumps (colloq.): depressed >He’s really been down in the dumps since he lost his job.
DUMPSTER FIRE
— dumpster fire (sl.): completely failed or ruinous undertaking, disastrous situation >This project has been screwed up from the start, a real dumpster fire.
DURN
— durn (it)! (dûrn ...) (see “DARN [it]!”)
— durn(ed) (see “DARN[ed]”)
— durn(ed) well (see “DARN[ed] well”)
— give a durn (see “give a DARN”)
— worth a durn (see “WORTH a darn”)
— you’re durn tooting ...! (see “you’re darn TOOTING ...!”)
DURNED
— (well,) I’ll be durned! (... dûrnd) (see “[well,] I’ll be DARNED!”)
DURNEDEST
— [one’s] durnedest (... dûrn´dist) (see “[one’s] DARNEDEST”)
DUST
— dust (vt) (sl.): kill, murder >He just dusted the dude with a thirty-eight.
— bite the dust (see BITE)
DUST-UP
— dust-up (colloq.): fight, argument, row >There was this big dust-up at the city council meeting over the zoning proposal.
DUTCH
* go Dutch (treat) (colloq.): each pay (one’s) own way (for food or entertainment) >He doesn’t have a lot of money, so I said we could go Dutch to the movies.
— in Dutch with (colloq.): in trouble or disfavor with >He’s running because he’s in Dutch with the law.
DUTY
— do [one’s] duty (colloq., freq. vulg.): defecate >The cat just did its duty in the planter.
DWEEB
— dweeb (dwēb) (sl.): socially contemptible or unattractive person, weird and dislikable person >Who invited that dweeb along?
DYING
** dying (colloq.): having great desire (to/for) >Rhonda’s dying to tell us about her trip. >I’m dying for a cold beer.
DYKE
* dyke (dīk) (sl., pej.): lesbian >The jerk called her a dyke just ‘cause she wouldn’t go to bed with him.
DYNAMITE
* dynamite (freq. dī´nō´mīt´) (colloq.): spectacular or wonderful thing or person (also adj., also interj.) >Their new album is dynamite! >This guy’s got a dynamite idea. >You got the job? Dynamite!