| deep pockets meaning: wealthy; able to fund/afford a lot of things (because a rich person needs big pockets to carry all their money) 1. The project has been a disaster so far, but the owners have deep pockets. They are, however, beginning to get a little angry with the amount of time things are taking. 2. It seems the only way to have a winning football team now is for it to have deep pockets; money has become more important than coaching. 3. The start-up has a good idea, but unless it is able to find someone with deep pockets to bankroll its expansion and some marketing, it’ll never be able to break into the market. Listen |
| down the drain meaning: a complete waste (often used for money, work, or time) (because it is like pouring your money, work, or time down the sink) 1. The project had been going well when suddenly the backers pulled out. Six months and half a million dollars straight down the drain. 2. I bought a TV yesterday, only to find it doesn’t work with my satellite connection. All that money down the drain. 3. Our team just bought a new player for $10m, and he is totally useless. Our whole transfer budget down the drain. Listen |
| dig your heels in meaning: to resist pressure from others to do something; to stick to your plan despite others wanting you to change (because if you don’t want to be pulled somewhere, you press your heels into the ground) 1. The board thought an offer of $20m was fair, but the other company is digging its heels in, holding out for $30m. 2. Dave wanted to go to Disneyland, but his wife dug her heels in and said she wanted to go to Las Vegas. Eventually Dave agreed. 3. I don’t know why he is digging his heels in over this: if he looked at my proposal he would see it helps both of us. Listen |
| drag your feet meaning: to do something you have to, but very slowly because you don’t want to 1. I sent this to the accounts department, but they seem to be dragging their feet on it. I’m not sure what their problem is, so I’m heading down there today. 2. The boss told Dave he had to fire three people from his department, but he has been dragging his feet, trying to think of a new plan. 3. The council has been dragging its feet on releasing the money for the new playpark. A lot of people think it is because a property developer is also interested in the land. Listen |
| dead and buried meaning: finished; dead; cannot come back to life (usually used when talking about an idea or project) (because things that are dead are buried in the ground) 1. “How did your proposal go?” “Well, every member of the board said they hated it, and the accounts division said we didn’t have enough money. Finally, the boss said he had received a new, better offer, so I think my idea is dead and buried.” 2. No money. No staff. No location. No public interest. I think we can now say our attempt at opening the world’s first soup nightclub is dead and buried. 3. They have been trying to sign the player for the past three seasons, but now it seems the deal is finally dead and buried. They are now looking for other options. Listen |
| dot the i's and cross the t's meaning: take special care of the small details when finishing a task; finish up the small details in order to finish a task (because the dot above an i or line in a t might have been missed when writing quickly, so now you are reviewing them to check your work is perfect) 1. She is a very careful person, a girl who likes to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s. 2. Well, the takeover is nearly complete: we’ve agreed on a fee, and decided to relocate the staff to the downtown office. We still need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, but I think everything will be done by the end of next month. 3. The government has hinted that it has agreed a trade agreement with Germany, which will be formally announced after its lawyers dot the i’s and cross the t’s. Listen |
| (you're) dead meat meaning: (threat) you’re dead (because I am so angry that I am going to kill you) 1. “If you touch my girlfriend, you’re dead meat.” 2. “I broke my dad’s binoculars. When he finds out, I’m dead meat. Any idea how I can get out of this?” 3. He is staying away from the bar. Last week Philip said that if he shows his face in there again he is dead meat. Listen |