Eat one’s words Ashok insisted that the party was on Thursday, but had to eat his words when he was proved wrong. To eat one’s words is to completely and ignominiously withdraw a statement. “We’re sure to come first,” boasted the Pratap house students when the...
Idiom “Dead end” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Dead end Pankaj drove around from one lane into another and out again, looking for his friend’s house. But he finally gave up when he came to a dead end. This means that he came to the end of the road and could not go...
Idiom “Go Dutch with somebody” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Go Dutch with somebody This expression means to share expenses with somebody. Whenever Rita and Rakesh go out to dinner, they go Dutch. Rita insisted on this because she believes in the equality of women.
Idiom “Dead as a doornail ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Dead as a doornail Dead as a dodo means to be no longer effective or interesting dodo. This company is as dead as a dodo. That kind of hairstyle is as dead as a dodo.
Idiom “Drive a coach and horses through something ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Drive a coach and horses through something Drive a coach and horses through something means to disregard (eg. a law or rule) in an obvious and serious way without being punished for it, usually because of a I loophole.
Idiom “Drive home” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Drive home Literally this means to hammer a nail etc. as far as it can go, that is all the way. Metaphorically, it means to emphasize a point. The teacher spoke to the students on the first day of school and drove home the fact...
Idiom “Drop in the ocean ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Drop in the ocean Amit was deeply in debt. His friends offered to help him out and generously donated their pocket money. But their contribution was only a drop in the ocean, which meant that the amount was small, and inadequate.
Idiom “Days are numbered ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Days are numbered This means about to die, to be dismissed from a job etc. Watch out Mr. Lal, your days are numbered at the office. He has a serious illness, and his days are numbered. a
Idiom “Die out ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Die out To die out means to become extinct. Dinosaurs as a breed died out millions of years ago, but till today are a favourite theme with story-tellers and film makers. If steps are not taken to prevent the killing of rare animals and birds,...
Idiom “Draw on ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Draw on In a stirring speech, the headmaster told the boys, “There are hidden reserves of strength and courage in all of us and we can draw on them when the need arises.” To draw on means to depend on or bring forth in an...