(all) done up like a pox doctor's clerk
Dressed in a showy, flashy, or excessively fancy manner; overdressed. (The meaning of "pox doctor" in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. He showed up to the interview done up like a pox doctor's clerk. You could tell he was eager to make a good impression—maybe a bit too eager. Why are you all done up like a pox doctor's clerk? We're only going to the movies. I'm all done up like a pox doctor's clerk because the CEO was supposed to visit our office today. But his plans changed, and now I just look like a fool.
(all) dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk
Dressed in a showy, flashy, or excessively fancy manner; overdressed. Said especially of a man. (The meaning of "pox doctor" in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. He showed up to the interview dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk. You could tell he was eager to make a good impression—maybe a bit too eager. Why are you all dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk? We're only going to the movies. I'm all dressed up like a pox doctor's clerk because the CEO was supposed to visit our office today. But his plans changed, and now I just look like a fool.
an apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating healthy foods will keep one from getting sick (and needing to see a doctor). Primarily heard in US. Have an apple for a snack, instead of those chips. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, after all. A: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!" B: "OK, that saying is as untrue as it is annoying!" People consider me eccentric for my insistence on going for a walk at dawn each morning, but an apple a day keeps the doctor away, as they say!
be just what the doctor ordered
To be exactly what one needed or wanted. The phrase does not usually refer to one's actual medical needs. I've been working on this paper all week, so a night out with friends is just what the doctor ordered! This beach vacation was just what the doctor ordered—I've never felt more relaxed. When you've been on the road for weeks, a home-cooked meal and your own bed are just the what the doctor ordered.
couch doctor
slang
1. A psychotherapist or psychoanalyst. I've been seeing the same couch doctor for nearly a year, but I don't feel like it has made any improvement to my mental health. He's going to need some long sessions with a couch doctor after what happened. I had my reservations about seeing a couch doctor, but it has been very helpful to talk through my emotional issues with an objective third party.
2. Someone who specializes in repairing or making alterations to couches. A: "The kids were jumping on the couch and broke one of the arm rests!" B: "There's a couch doctor in town you can take it to. He does really great work." The upholstery ripped, huh? I bet Grandma and Grandpa know a couch doctor you could call—they seem to know everyone in every niche field in this town! One of the legs on our couch broke. Is this the sort of thing a couch doctor could fix?
3. Someone who specializes in transporting couches into or out of difficult or tricky locations. I'm looking for a local couch doctor who can help move my new couch into my fifth-floor apartment. I have no idea how I'll do it by myself. Turns out we can't fit the couch through the front door after all. Would a couch doctor be able to help us? I doubt that a couch doctor could even help get a full-size couch into your carriage house! I think a love seat is your only hope.
Doctor Livingstone, I presume?
A humorous greeting. The phrase refers to Scottish explorer David Livingstone, who was presumed lost in Africa in the mid-19th century. When reporter H.M. Stanley finally located him, he supposedly greeted Livingstone with this now-famous phrase. You must be the gentleman I'm looking for—Doctor Livingstone, I presume? A: "Aha, Doctor Livingstone, I presume? You're a hard man to track down, I must say." B: "Well, I do like to keep my distance from reporters such as yourself." Doctor Livingstone, I presume? Might I come in and ask you a few questions?
doctor up
1. To treat someone medically. A noun or pronoun can be used between "doctor" and "up." Oh, I cut my hand chopping vegetables and had to get doctored up, but I'm fine now. Turns out, that rash was infected. But I got doctored up, and I'm doing just fine now. That cut looks kind of deep, doesn't it? Let me get my mom to doctor you up.
2. To alter, and perhaps falsify, something in an attempt to improve it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "doctor" and "up." The studio says the we have to doctor the script up because it's too bland. Does this picture look fake to you? I think the defense team doctored it up. A: "Help me doctor up this story so Mom and Dad will actually believe it." B: "No way, I'm not lying for you!"
Doctors make the worst patients.
proverb It is difficult to give people help or advice on something in which they are professionals, because they often feel as though they already know better than anyone else how to handle the situation or perform a given task. Mary tried to convince her boss at the bank to see a credit advisor about his growing debt, but he kept insisting that he knew how to manage his money. Doctors make the worst patients. A: "Of course Dad hasn't gotten that rash looked at yet. He says he knows, as a doctor, that it's no big deal." B: "Ugh, doctors make the worst patients." Good luck teaching your teacher something new. Truly, doctors make the worst patients.
doctor's orders
Instructions given by one's doctor. Acting upon my doctor's orders, I cleared my schedule and spent the week recuperating at home. Samantha, you need to stay off your foot and use your crutches—doctor's orders, remember? You have an upper respiratory infection, so you need to go home and rest. Doctor's orders!
dome-doctor
slang A psychologist or psychiatrist. "Dome" is slang term for "head." The phrase is usually used in a derogatory way. Ugh, I don't want to see a dome-doctor and talk about my feelings. A: "There's no shame in seeking professional help if you think you're suffering from depression, Mike." B: "Like I want to see a dome-doctor—please." Come on, don't call me a dome-doctor—it demeans the important work I do helping my patients work through trauma.
go for the doctor
To give something one's full effort or attention. Primarily heard in Australia. They are going for the doctor to win this game, but I will be very surprised if they beat the best team in the league. Come on! When you run, you've got to go for the doctor and beat your opponent to the base! You need to go for the doctor if you want to beat your competitors in this heat.
good doctor
obsolete A respectful term used to address or refer to a doctor. Reginald, call the good doctor at once—I think Lady Mary has gone into labor! Thank for coming so quickly, good doctor. We really needed your help. What has delayed the good doctor? Young Joseph is seriously ill!
horse doctor
rude slang A physician who is regarded as poor or inept. You better get a second opinion on your condition because Dr. Jones strikes me as a horse doctor. I always thought Dr. Stevens was a horse doctor. Like, are we even sure he's a legitimate MD? I know I bungled that diagnosis, and I know people are calling me a horse doctor because of it. Believe it or not, no one is more disappointed in me than I am.
I'm a (something), not a (something else)
Used to emphasize one's status as a certain type of person to the exclusion of some other type. Modeled on the catch phrase of Dr. McCoy in the television series Star Trek, "I'm a doctor, not a (something)." A: "What do you think would be the best way to market our new app?" B: "Hey, don't ask me—I'm a programmer, not a salesperson." A: "Do you think you can repair the car?" B: "Lady, I'm a mechanic, not a miracle worker. This thing is totaled." Your dryer? Look, I'm a plumber, not a magician. If your dryer is acting up, I can't help you with that.
Is there a doctor in the house?
cliché An expression used to ask if a doctor is present in order to administer medical care for someone in distress. Traditionally used in reference to the audience of a theater performance ("the house" being the portion of the theater in which an audience sits). Oh my God, one of the actors is having a heart attack! Is there a doctor in the house? This boy seems to be having a seizure! Please, is there a doctor in the house? A: "Is there a doctor in the house?" B: Yes, right here! What's the emergency?"
just what the doctor ordered
Exactly the thing that is or was needed to help improve something or make one feel better. A short nap is just what the doctor ordered. You'll feel refreshed in no time. New lighting is just what the doctor ordered for the waiting room—it looks so much cheerier in here now!
pox doctor's clerk
Someone who is overdressed or wearing a showy, flashy outfit. (The meaning of "pox doctor" in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Why are you all done up like a pox doctor's clerk? We're only going to the movies. Now that he's making big money, he always goes around looking like a pox doctor's clerk.
spin doctor
One who manipulates information, often by attempting to present negative news as being somehow positive. The campaign's spin doctors somehow made the candidate's poor performance in the debate look like a sign that he was the more relatable candidate.
wear (one's particular profession's) hat
To act as one would in one's particular profession while in a different setting. Bobby, I know you're off duty, but can you please wear your doctor's hat for five minutes and tell me what's wrong with my arm? I don't want to have to go to the hospital. My wife was still wearing her judge's hat when she tried to intervene with our neighbor's arguing kids.
you're the doctor
dated You are the one in charge or the one who knows best. Said as an indication that one will defer to the judgment of someone else (not an actual doctor). A: "No, I'd rather make the payment all at once, even if it results in a higher transaction fee." B: "OK, you're the doctor." A: "I'm telling you that the witness's life is in danger if she stays here!" B: "All right, all right—you're the doctor. So, what should we do with her, Detective?"
zit doctor
slang A dermatologist. ("Zit" is slang for "pimple.") You may think she's little more than a zit doctor, but she saved my life when she discovered I had skin cancer two years ago! Why would I spend so much money just to have a zit doctor tell me I should keep using moisturizers and sun block?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Prov. Apples are so nutritious that if you eat an apple every day, you will not ever need to go to a doctor. Remember to take an apple in your lunch today. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Grandma always fed us lots of apples when we visited her. She believed that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Doctor Livingstone, I presume?
Jocular You are who I think you are, are you not? Oh, there you are. Doctor Livingstone, I presume?
doctor's orders something
that one is strongly advised to do as ordered or as if ordered by a doctor. I have to spend a month in Arizona. Doctor's orders. I'm doing this on doctor's orders, but I don't like it.
doctor someone up
to give someone medical treatment, especially first aid. Give me a minute to doctor Fred up, and then we can continue our walk. I'll doctor up Fred with a bandage; you can go on ahead.
just what the doctor ordered
Fig. exactly what is required, especially for health or comfort. That meal was delicious, Bob. Just what the doctor ordered. Bob: Would you like something to drink? Mary: Yes, a cold glass of water would be just what the doctor ordered.
spin doctor
someone who gives a twisted or deviously deceptive version of an event. (Usually in the context of manipulating the news for political reasons.) Things were going bad for the candidate, so he got himself a new spin doctor. A good spin doctor could have made the incident appear far less damaging.
You're the doctor.
Inf. Fig. You are in a position to tell me what to do.; I yield to you and your knowledge of this matter. (Usually jocular; the person being addressed is most likely not a physician.) Bill: Eat your dinner, then you'll feel more like playing ball. Get some energy! Tom: Okay, you're the doctor. Teacher: You'd better study the first two chapters more thoroughly. Bob: You're the doctor.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.