English Idioms (D)
List of English idioms that start with D.
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 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 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 : Very similar in appearance
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
Devil's Advocate: Someone who argues a point not out of conviction, but in order to air various points of view
Dirty Look : A facial manner that signifies disapproval
Do 12-Ounce Curls : Drink beer
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
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 Cry Over Spilled Milk : Don't worry about minor things.
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.
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)
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 Hard Bargain: To negotiate effectively
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
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 (adj.) : Consistent in an affiliation or opinion over a long period; inveterate
Idioms (E)
List of English idioms that start with E.
Eager beaver: The term eager beaver refers to a person who is hardworking and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous.
Eagle-Eyed : Having sharp vision
Early Bird [noun or adjective] : Someone who does something prior to the usual time, or someone who gets up early.
Eat Crow : To admit one was wrong, and accept humiliation
Eat Humble Pie : To admit defeat or error, to accept humiliation
Eat Someone's Lunch : Defeat someone thoroughly
Eat Your Heart Out! : (excl.) Go ahead, be jealous.
Eighty-Six (v.) : 1) Discard, eliminate. 2) Throw someone out of a bar or store.
Elephant in the Room : A major problem that no one is talking about
Elevator Music : Pleasant but boring recorded music that is played in public places.
Elevator Pitch: A brief presentation of an idea, one short enough to be delivered in an elevator
Eleventh Hour : The last minute
Even Steven : Owing nothing; tied (in a game)
Every Dog Has His (Its) : Day Everyone has a moment of fame, power, or influence
Every Man and His Dog : Many people
Every Man for Himself: Pursue your own interests; don't expect help from others.
Excused Boots : Allowed to avoid mandatory tasks
