doctor

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.

See also: apple, away, day, keep

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.

See also: up

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.

See also: order

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.

See also: just, order

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.

See also: spin

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.

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a spin doctor

someone whose job is to make sure that the information the public receives about a particular event makes them approve of the organization they work for, usually a political party In politics, this is the age of the spin doctor and image maker.

See also: spin

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  (old-fashioned)

something that you say which means eating an apple every day will keep you healthy If 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away,' then why have I got this terrible cold?

See also: apple, away, day, keep

be just what the doctor ordered  (humorous)

to be exactly what is wanted or needed 'Andy's making us some lunch.' 'Great, just what the doctor ordered.' A night out on their own was just what the doctor ordered.

See also: just, order

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just what the doctor ordered

exactly what is wanted or needed An evening without the kids was just what the doctor ordered. Related vocabulary: just the ticket

See also: just, order