English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - D, page 9
from: 'drastic times'
to: 'drop a bombshell'
- drastic times call for drastic measures
- When faced with a difficult situation, it is sometimes
necessary to take actions which in normal circumstances would appear extreme
"After Johnny's third accident, his father confiscated his car.
Drastic times call for drastic measures!"
- When faced with a difficult situation, it is sometimes
necessary to take actions which in normal circumstances would appear extreme
- draw a blank
- When you attempt to recall something and are unable to remember it, you
draw a blank.
"I nearly won the quiz; unfortunately I drew a blank at the last question!"
- When you attempt to recall something and are unable to remember it, you
draw a blank.
- draw the line
- If you decide todraw the line, you determine when an activity or situation becomes unacceptable.
"When a person's private life is concerned, the media should know where to draw the line."
- If you decide todraw the line, you determine when an activity or situation becomes unacceptable.
- draw a line in the sand
- If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit
beyond which a certain situation or activity will not be accepted.
"That's it! We're going to draw a line in the sand and make this our final proposal."
- If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit
beyond which a certain situation or activity will not be accepted.
- dread to think about something
- If you dread to think about something, you feel worried about the consequences of something that will or might happen
and prefer not to think about it.
"I dread to think about what will happen if the sea level continues to rise."
- If you dread to think about something, you feel worried about the consequences of something that will or might happen
and prefer not to think about it.
- dream ticket
- If you refer to two people as a dream ticket,
you think they would work well together and be successful.
"Two world champions teaming up for the children's fund-raising project would be a dream ticket."
- If you refer to two people as a dream ticket,
you think they would work well together and be successful.
- dressed to kill
- When someone, especially a woman, is dressed to kill, they are wearing very fashionable or glamorous clothes intended to attract attention.
"All eyes were on Amanda who arrived at the reception dressed to kill."
- When someone, especially a woman, is dressed to kill, they are wearing very fashionable or glamorous clothes intended to attract attention.
- dressed up to the nines
- Someone dressed up to the nines is wearing very smart or glamorous clothes.
"Caroline must be going to a party - she's dressed up to the nines."
- Someone dressed up to the nines is wearing very smart or glamorous clothes.
- (in) dribs and drabs
- If something comes in dribs and drabs, it arrives little by little, in small amounts or numbers.
"Instead of the crowd expected, people arrived in dribs and drabs."
- If something comes in dribs and drabs, it arrives little by little, in small amounts or numbers.
- get someone's drift
- If you get someone's drift, you understand in a general way what they are trying to say.
"I didn't understand every word but I got the drift."
- If you get someone's drift, you understand in a general way what they are trying to say.
- drink like a fish
- A person who drinks like a fish is one who drinks a lot of alcohol.
"I get nervous if Ben drives when we go out because he drinks like a fish!"
- A person who drinks like a fish is one who drinks a lot of alcohol.
- drink (someone) under the table
- If you drink someone under the table, you drink more alcohol than someone else
(for example at a party or bar), without becoming drunk.
"When Bob was a young man, he could drink his friends under the table!"
- If you drink someone under the table, you drink more alcohol than someone else
(for example at a party or bar), without becoming drunk.
- drive a hard bargain
- A person who drives a hard bargain is very firm or tough when negotiating,
determined to gain an advantage or reach an agreement that is beneficial to themselves
"Be prepared for tough negotiations with Dan. He drives a hard bargain."
- A person who drives a hard bargain is very firm or tough when negotiating,
determined to gain an advantage or reach an agreement that is beneficial to themselves
- drive up the wall
- If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something that greatly annoys or irritates you.
"I can't concentrate with all the noise - it's driving me up the wall."
- If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something that greatly annoys or irritates you.
- drop a bombshell
- If you drop a bombshell, you make an unexpected or very surprising announcement
which will greatly change a situation.
"The chairman dropped a bombshell when he announced the merger with the company's biggest rival."
- If you drop a bombshell, you make an unexpected or very surprising announcement
which will greatly change a situation.
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