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Double-edged sword
A double-edged sword is something that has both good and bad effects. It can help you, but it can also cause problems. The origin is the literal image of a sword that is sharp on both edges.Being famous can be a double-edged sword.
Down a rabbit hole
To go down a rabbit hole means to become deeply involved in something, often following one idea after another until you lose track of time.It comes from the story Alice in Wonderland, where Alice falls down a rabbit hole and enters a strange and confusing world.
I only meant to read one article, but I went down a rabbit hole and spent three hours researching medieval architecture.
Down for the count
The phrase down for the count means unable to continue, usually because you are exhausted or defeated.It comes from boxing, where a knocked-down boxer is counted out. People also use it for being very tired or sick.
After the long day, I was down for the count.
Down in flames
The idiom to go down in flames means to fail completely in a very dramatic or embarrassing way.The phrase comes from aviation, where an aircraft that catches fire may fall from the sky in flames. The striking image led to the expression being used for failures that happen suddenly and publicly.
His ambitious business idea went down in flames after the investors pulled out.
Down the drain
The phrase down the drain means wasted or lost completely. Time, money, or effort disappears and cannot be recovered. This idiom draws a parallel to water going down the drain of a sink and vanishing.All that planning went down the drain when it rained.
Dressed to the nines
Dressed to the nines means wearing very stylish or formal clothes and looking especially well dressed.The expression has been used in English since the 1700s, though the exact origin of the number nine is uncertain. It may come from earlier phrases suggesting something done to the highest degree.
Everyone at the wedding was dressed to the nines.
Drop like flies
The phrase drop like flies means many people or things fall or stop working one after another. It is often used for people getting sick or for items breaking quickly. The expression comes from seeing flies fall after being sprayed with insect spray.Half the class caught the flu and started dropping like flies.
Drop the ball
The phrase drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important. It often suggests carelessness or forgetting.The saying comes from sports, where dropping the ball can cost the game.
I dropped the ball and forgot to call.
Drum up support
The phrase drum up support means to gather help, interest, or approval from others. It often involves encouraging people and getting attention.The idiom originates from the old time practise of using drums as a way to draw a crowd.
They tried to drum up support for the fundraiser.
Dry as a bone
The phrase dry as a bone is an exaggeration to describe something that is very, very dry, drawing from the image of bleached bones left in the sun.This idiom is very old, and dates back to Biblical times.
It hasn't rained for months, the fields are dry as a bone.