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Dig in your heels
The idiom dig in your heels means to refuse to change your mind or to stubbornly resist. It means to stand your ground even when others push you. The origin is the literal image of planting your heels in the ground so you cannot be moved.When asked to apologize, he dug in his heels and said no.
Dig your own grave
The phrase dig your own grave means to cause your own failure by your own actions. It is used when someone makes choices that lead to trouble later. The origin of this idiom is macabre and a literal image of digging your own grave.By lying again, he dug his own grave.
Dip your toes in
The phrase dip your toes in means to try something in a small, careful way before doing it fully. It often describes starting gently because you are unsure.The idiom comes from the literal action of dipping your toes into a body of water to check the temperature before you get into it to go swimming.
She dipped her toes in coding by making a small game.
Divide and conquer
To divide and conquer means to break a large problem or task into smaller parts so each one can be handled more easily. It can also describe a strategy of separating opponents so they cannot work together effectively.The phrase comes from ancient military strategy, where leaders tried to weaken enemies by splitting them into smaller groups. The idea has also been used in politics, management, and problem solving.
We divided and conquered by splitting the chores up between us.
Dodged a bullet
The idiom to dodge a bullet means to narrowly avoid something that could have very bad results. It is often used to describe avoiding bad outcome such as a bad relationship, a bad job or a financial loss.Good thing you didn't buy that stock, it crashed overnight - you dodged a bullet!
Dog eat dog
The phrase dog eat dog describes a situation where people compete fiercely. Everyone looks out for themselves and doesn't care about the people they are competing against. It suggests a tough environment where winning matters the most.The phrase comes from an old Latin saying dog does not eat dog, which meant that people in the same group would not harm each other, but the modern expression has evolved to mean the opposite.
It can be dog eat dog in some industries.
Don't beat a dead horse
To beat a dead horse means to keep talking about a problem or trying to change something even though nothing more can be done. It describes wasting time and effort on something that is already finished or decided.The idiom dates back to the time before cars, when horses were used to move things around. It comes from the image of a working horse that has already died and cannot move anymore. Hitting it would not make it work again, so the effort would be pointless.
We've already decided on the plan, so there's no point beating a dead horse.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you
The saying don't bite the hand that feeds you means you should not hurt or insult someone who helps you. If you do, you might lose their support.The idiom comes from the literal image of an animal biting the hand of the person who is giving it food.
Be polite to your coach - don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
The phrase don't count your chickens before they hatch means you should not assume success too early. Plans can change, and results are not certain yet. The saying comes from farming, where out of a clutch of eggs, not every one hatches.She was celebrating already, but I said don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Don't cry over spilled milk
The saying don't cry over spilled milk means don't get upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. It reminds people that worrying about the past does not help. The phrase encourages acceptance and moving forward.There is no use crying over spilled milk.