Dredge and drudge are two words that are very close in spelling and pronunciation and are often confused. We will look at the difference between the definitions of dredge and drudge, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Drudge means to do menial, hard work or a person who does menial, hard work. Drudge may be used as a noun or an intransitive verb, which is a verb that does not take an object. …
The phrase down to the wire is an idiom, meaning it is a figurative term used to create an interesting and detailed connection to an author’s message different than its literal use. When something is down to the wire, it means something has been left to the last minute. The expression originates in horse racing but is now a familiar English term used to highlight a close call. Learn what down to the wire means, where it originated from, and …
Drop-dead and drop dead! are two similar terms that have a related meaning but are used in very different circumstances. We will look at the meanings of the terms drop-dead and drop dead!, where these two phrases came from and how they are used, as well as some examples of their use in sentences. Drop-dead means strikingly attractive, spectacular, extremely impressive. Drop-dead is an adjective that is usually used before a noun, though it may occasionally be seen standing on its …
Dichotomy and paradox are two terms that are often confused but have different meanings. We will look at the meanings of dichotomy and paradox, where the terms came from and some examples of their use in sentences. A dichotomy is a contrast or division between two things that are opposed to each other or are sharply different, a division of a class of something into subclasses that are mutually exclusive. Related words are dichotomous, dichotomic, dichotomously. The plural form is dichotomies. …
Many words in the English language are influenced by foreign words, events, or even names. Donnybrook is one such word, meaning an uproar or disorder, and comes from a fair of the same name, the Donnybrook Fair held outside Dublin, Ireland. The long history behind the association of the word with the fair has its origins in the European Carnival season which influenced carnivalesque fairs and gatherings throughout the rest of the continent. Let’s take a closer look at how …
To put the cart before the horse means to reverse the proper order of things, so you’re doing or thinking about something in the wrong sequence. It’s like trying to move a cart in front of the horse meant to pull it. This expression originated from a time when life revolved around simpler but profound truths drawn from everyday observations. Idioms like this one are figurative words and phrases that help us encapsulate our ideas and emotions in more relatable …
Delude and dilute are two words that are pronounced similarly and look similar, but have very different meanings. We will look at the definitions of delude and dilute, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. Delude is the act of making someone believe something that is not true, to deceive someone. Delude is a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Related words are deludes, deluded, deluding, delusion. The word delude …
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth is a proverb, which is a well-known saying that expresses a universally accepted truth. We will explore the meaning of the proverb Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, its origins and some examples of its use in sentences. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth is an admonishment to be grateful when receiving a present and not to find fault with that present. A horse’s teeth change as it …
Duplicate and duplicity are two words that come from the same roots but have different meanings. We will look at the definitions of duplicate and duplicity, their common roots and some examples of their use in sentences. Duplicate means to make a copy of something, to have an exact pair of something, to reproduce an exact copy from an original. Duplicate may be used as a noun, verb or adjective. Related words are duplicates, duplicated, duplicating, duplication. The word duplicate …
Going Dutch describes a situation where each person in a group pays their way rather than relying on one person to foot the bill. But how did the Dutch get involved in our bill-paying etiquette, and is it offensive? I’ll tell you all about it in this short guide and even give you a few examples in a sentence. Going Dutch Meaning Explained Going Dutch, or Dutch treat, is the idea that each person in a group of friends pays …