dirty dog—used as an insult of a person who has behaved badly, meanly or selfishly: I see you’ve finished all the whisky, you dirty dogs. You might have saved me a little. dirty pig—used as an insult of a disgusting person (dirty in his personal habits, etc.): He doesn’t have any friends and people are […]
Difference between Dirt money and Dirty money
dirt money—money paid to workman handling dirty materials or working in dirty conditions: Wharfies get dirt money for working on filthy, dusty merchant ships. dirty money— 1. = dirt money: When any class of work involves special unpleasantness, “black money” or “dirty money” is sometimes stipulated for. 2. money earned by dishonorable or corrupt means: […]
Difference between Dirt-eater and Dirt-eating
dirt-eater —(dated) 1. (also: clay-eater) miserable people who appease their hunger with a kind of aluminous earth: Distinguished from other southerners by hookworm disease were dirt-eaters scattered in sand barrens and pine woods. 2. a contemptuous name for “poor whites” in some parts of the southern United States: It rests with you whether you will […]
Difference between Direct something at someone and Direct something to someone
direct something at someone— 1. aim or point smth. at a person: Wary troopers directed stun guns at the medley of bodies in case of disorder. 2. intend smth. for a person: Are you directing your remarks at me? direct something to someone— 1. address or send smth. to a person: Please direct all the […]
Difference between Dip the flag and Drop the flag
dip the flag —(of a ship) give a salute to another ship by making the flag go down for a moment and then up again: Today, “dipping the flag” is an act of courtesy; men-of-war do not do it to one another. drop the flag— 1. (Sport) indicate the start or finish of a race […]
Difference between Dip one’s toes in the water and Get one’s feet wet
dip one’s toes in the water —(of an activity) proceed gently with much caution: Companies will dip their toes in the water by hiring temporary employees until they are certain their markets have recovered. get one’s feet wet—gain one’s first experience of smth.; do smth. for the first time: Don’t be afraid to get your […]
Difference between Dinner lady and Kitchen maid
dinner lady—(UK) a female cook or canteen worker in a school: They walked home, along with their friends, and made free with my house and kitchen whilst I was busy being a dinner lady at school. kitchen maid—a woman employed in the kitchen; a junior female servant in a great house: Daisy was taken on […]
Difference between Dining car and Dinner wagon
dining car—a railroad car in which meals are served: People in the dining car were much easier to talk to than the people in the first class lounge. dinner wagon—a tray with shelves beneath (usually on castors) for the service of a dining-room: He would not even know the difference between a tea trolley and […]
Difference between Dingo’s breakfast and Dog’s breakfast
dingo’s breakfast—(Austral. sl.) a drink of water, with nothing to eat: We quickly prepared for the hunt, had a dingo’s breakfast and we were off. dog’s breakfast—(sl.) an untidy mess; a distasteful mixture (also: dog’s dinner): The plot of the film is a dog’s breakfast of half-baked ideas. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with […]
Difference between Dine on something and Dine out on something
dine on something—have smth. for dinner: They dined on mince, as there was nothing else in the house. dine out on something—gain social success by telling interesting stories: You’ll dine out on it for weeks, won’t you, old boy? Note: Neither expression fully correlates in meaning with the phrase dine off something— 1. = dine […]
Difference between Dime a dozen and Ten to the dozen
dime a dozen, a—said of people or things that are very common and easy to get: Fad diets are a dime a dozen. It seems like every time we turn around there is a new diet. ten to the dozen —(also: nineteen to the dozen) talk very fast and without stopping: Everybody is talking ten […]
Difference between Dig one’s heels in and Dig oneself in
dig one’s heels in—act firmly; refuse to yield: It is not an indication of my lack of ability, but rather a sign that it is time for me to dig my heels in and exert more effort. dig oneself in —(also: dig in) 1. (of soldiers) dig a protective place for oneself: We were ordered […]