Below is a list of common idioms starting with the letter D. You’ll see everyday phrases in English that are fun to learn, along with their meanings and origins. Simply choose an idiom to learn more details. Want to discover even more? Explore common idioms in English on our homepage!
Common Idioms Starting With D
Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
This old yet familiar saying means that a person should not make plans based on assumptions because things may not turn out how they expect.
Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover
One should not form assumptions about others based on outward appearances.
Don’t Look a Gift Horse In The Mouth
When you receive a gift from someone, do not be ungrateful.
Down And Out
1. A boxer who has been knocked out. 2. Incapable of performing normal functions due to some reason.
Down For The Count
Someone or something that looks to be defeated, or nearly so.
Down To Earth
Practical or humble; unpretentious.
Down To The Wire
A common phrase that is often heard in a close competition where the teams are evenly matched and the outcome will be decided only in the final seconds.
Drawing a Blank
Failing to recall a memory; unable to remember something.
Drive Me Nuts
Someone who is greatly annoyed or frustrated. With this phrase, the word “nuts” is sometimes substituted with crazy, insane, bonkers, or bananas.
Dropping Like Flies
People who have fallen down ill or who have died in large numbers.
Note: More idioms and phrases beginning with D are listed below. While they may not have their own page, they are still just as interesting.
Dark Horse
Someone in a competition, either a team or an individual, that has the potential to win it all.
Dead Air
A time where nothing is going on and there is silence.
Deer In Headlights
If a person is described as being a “deer in headlights,” it means they saw something caused freeze up in fear or surprise.
Dodge a Bullet
To avoid a situation that would have been very troublesome to deal with.
Doggy Bag
After eating at a restaurant, if you have spare food that you want to take home with you, they give you what is called a “doggy bag” to put it in. Basically, it’s a small container.
Done To Death
If something, like a story, has been “done to death,” it’s been repeated so many times that it has become bland and boring.
Don’t Hold Your Breath
If someone uses the phrase “don’t hold your breath,” they mean the thing you’re hoping or expecting to happen probably won’t.
Don’t Sweat It
Another way of saying: “Don’t worry about it.”
Double Take
Noticing something so peculiar that you have to check it twice to make sure what you saw was real.
Down In The Dumps
Feeling sad or depressed; under the weather.
Down The Drain
Resources, such as money or time, that have gone to waste.
Drop The Ball
The common phrase “drop the ball” means to make a mistake.