Category: English Phrase
Dust to Dust Meaning We come from dust; we return to dust. Origin From the English Burial Service. Adapted from the Biblical text, Genesis 3:19 (King James Version): “In …
Ducks in a Row Meaning To have things in order. Example If you don’t get your ducks in a row, you will be replaced. Origin Baby ducklings swim in …
Dog in the Manger Meaning Spiteful and mean spirited. Origin Like the proverbial dog who slept in a manger not because he wanted to eat the hay there but …
Dead Cat Bounce Meaning A small and temporary recovery in a financial market following a large fall. When a financial market suffers a consistent fall traders attempt to detect …
Dead as a Doornail Meaning Dead – devoid of life (when applied to people, plants or animals). Finished with – unusable (when applied to inanimate objects). Origin This is …
Davy Jones’ locker Meaning The bottom of the sea; the resting place of drowned mariners. Origin Davy Jones is the evil spirit of the sea. There are various possible …
Date Rape Meaning Rape by an acquaintance during a social engagement. Origin This term is of American origin. The Chronicle Telegram, November 1980 had an article about the subject …
Dark Horse Meaning Someone who emerges to prominence; being previously little known. Origin This was originally horse racing parlance. A dark horse was one that wasn’t known to the …
A Daniel Come to Judgement Meaning Someone who makes a wise judgement about something that has previously proven difficult to resolve. Origin This doubtless alludes to the biblical character …
Dance Attendance On Meaning To wait upon someone in an overly assiduous or sycophantic manner. Origin The derivation of this phrase isn’t known. It probably has the same root …
