discretion is the better part of valour
Caution is often more advantageous than bravery
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Discussion: a method of confirming others in their errors. (Ambrose Bierce)
Conversation that reinforces others' misconceptions
disgruntled
Offended, disobliged.
disguised
Intoxicated. A very old term is that of "DISGUISED in drink."
Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells
A person who writes to complain about something, often in a self-righteous manner
dish
To stop, to do away with, to suppress; DISHED, done for, floored, beaten, or silenced. To "do brown" and to "DISH," both verbs with very similar meanings, have an evident connexion so far as origin is concerned, and most likely were both first used in the kitchen as synonymous with "done for." The late Lord Derby made the word "DISH" famous by his latest public act, that of "DISHING the Whigs."
dish up
To serve (cooked food); to take (food) from the oven, pots, etc. and put in dishes to be served at table.
dishclout
A dirty, greasy woman. He has made a napkin of his dishclout; a saying of one who has married his cook maid. To pin a dishclout to a man's tail; a punishment often threatened by the female servants in a kitchen, to a man who pries too minutely into the secrets of that place.
dished up
He is completely dished up; he is totally ruined. To throw a thing in one's dish; to reproach or twit one with any particular matter.
dishpan hands
rough, dry, and chapped hands
dismal ditty
The psalm sung by the felons at the gallows, just before they are turned off.
dismal science
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Disney Professor
The Professor of Archeology at Cambridge.
dispatchers
Loaded or false dice.
dispatches
A mittimus, or justice of the peace's warrant, for the commitment of a rogue.
dispose of somebody
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
distracted division
Husband and wife fighting.
dithers
Nervous or cold shiverings; "it gave me the DITHERS."
ditto
A suit of ditto; coat, waistcoat, and breeches, all of one colour.
dittoes
A SUIT OF, coat, waistcoat, and trousers of the same material.—Tailor’s term.
ditty-bag
The bag or huswife in which sailors keep needles, thread, buttons, &c., for mending their clothes.
dive
To dive; to pick a pocket. To dive for a dinner; to go down into a cellar to dinner. A dive, is a thief who stands ready to receive goods thrown out to him by a little boy put in at a window. Cant.
dive and drive
To drive immediately after diving or snorkeling without allowing time for decompression
dive in
start something enthusiastically without preparation
diver
A pickpocket; also one who lives in a cellar.
diver
A pickpocket. Also applied to fingers, no doubt from a similar reason. To DIVE is to pick pockets.
Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 p.b72
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
divide
To divide the house with one's wife; to give her the outside, and to keep all the inside to one's self, i.e. to turn her into the street.
divide and conquer
To win or achieve something by creating divisions or disagreements among opponents
diving suit
A condom.
divining rod
A forked branch of hazel, one prong of which is held in either hand. The inclination of the rod, when controlled by a qualified person, called a diviner, is said to indicate by its mpvements the presence of water-springs, precious metal, oil, etc.
divvie
A dividend.
dizamn
Damn.
dizz
MDMA.
dl at ease
Uneasy, not comfortable, anxious. Stand at ease! An infantry drill command for a position less rigid than attention^ with the feet apart and hands joined behind the back. It is intermediate between attention and stand easy! in which complete freedom (short of moving away) is allowable.
do
To do any one; to rob and cheat him. I have done him; I have robbed him. Also to overcome in a boxing match: witness those laconic lines written on the field of battle, by Humphreys to his patron.--'Sir, I have done the Jew.'
do a bunk
to leave quickly or escape
do a man a good turn and he'll never forgive you
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
do a number on
to severely harm or damage someone or something
do a slow burn
to feel or express increasing anger or frustration
Do as I say, not as I do
Follow my advice, even if I don't follow it myself
do as you would be done by
Treat others as you want them to treat you
do away with
get rid of something unwanted or unnecessary
do by halves
to do something incompletely or inadequately
do cartwheels
To feel or express great joy or excitement
do down
to criticize or belittle someone
do drugs
To take illegal or recreational drugs
do exactly what it says on the tin
Means what it claims, does what is expected
do ill
to act wrongly or unkindly
do it
To do something exceptionally foolish or unacceptable.
do it tough
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
do justice
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
do me a favour
help me or do something for me
do me a lemon
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
do not add oil to the fire
Avoid making a bad situation worse
do not bite the hand that feeds you
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
do not burn your bridges behind you
Do not destroy your connections or opportunities
Do not carry coals to Newcastle
Do not take something to a place where it is already plentiful
do not cast your pearls before swine
Do not share valuable things with those who will not appreciate them
do not change horses in midstream
Avoid making major changes during a difficult or critical period
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