Idioms and Phrases 54

1. dark days: period backwardness.

• The period of Middle Ages in Europe is regarded as ‘dark days’ from the point of view of progress in art and literature.

2. daylight robbery: daring cheating and robbing in day.

• The daylight robberies in the city have become so common that the people are under panic.

3. dead loss: total loss.

• His house was burgled last night and his dead loss was about one million rupees.

4. a dog in the manger policy: a detrimental policy to self and others.

• Lago in Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’ is an example of a dog in the manger policy. 

5. a double-minded person: a person with a wavering mind.

• There are a large number of double-minded persons who cannot make a clear decision easily.

6. a drawn game: an undecided game.

• Both the teams in the hockey final match scored two goals each, so it was declared a drawn game.

7. a drunken quarrel: a quarrel between intoxicated persons.

• Sometime a drunken quarrel takes a very serious and violent turn.

8. dutch courage: courage shown under the excitement of intoxication only

• It has been commonly seen that the persons who often show Dutch courage fail to do the real acts of courage and bravery.

9. (at) death’s door: on the point of dying.

• The old man called his all the sons and advised them, to live unitedly when he was at death’s door.

10. dying prayer: prayer uttered by a person who is on the point of death.

• It is true that the dying prayer comes out of a true heart.