done

be cooked/done to a turn

to be cooked for exactly the right amount of time. The beef was done to a turn.

See also: cooke, turn

be done in (British, American & Australian, informal, American)

to be too tired to do any more. She was done in by the time she had cleared up after the party. I'm all done in - sorry, but I can't walk any further without a rest.

be done like a (dog's) dinner (Australian, informal)

to be completely defeated. Whatever possessed her to play tennis against Sue? She was done like a dinner.

See also: dinner, like

be done to death (informal)

if a particular style or subject is done to death, it is used or discussed so many times that it is not interesting any more. The military look was done to death in last season's fashion shows.

See also: death

be over and done with

get something over and done with - to do something difficult or unpleasant as soon as you can so that you do not have to worry about it any more. I usually do my homework as soon as I get back from school so that at least it's over and done with.

See also: over

a done deal (mainly American)

a final decision or agreement. It's not a done deal - we're still talking about who to hire for the job. (often negative)

See also: deal

the done thing (British, American & Australian, American)

the correct way to behave in a particular social situation. Wearing jeans in an office environment isn't really the done thing. (usually negative) You can't smoke during the meal. It's not the thing to do.

See also: thing

done up/dressed up like a dog's dinner (British & Australian)

wearing clothes which make you look silly when you have tried to dress for a formal occasion. There she was, all dressed up like a dog's dinner, in a ridiculous frilly shirt and a skirt that was far too short.

See also: dinner, dress, like

easier said than done

something that you say when something seems like a good idea but it would be difficult to do. The doctor says I should stop smoking but that's easier said than done.

See also: easy, said

feel hard done-by

if you feel hard done-by, you feel you have been treated unfairly. I'm feeling hard done-by because I've been looking after the kids all week while Steve's been out every night.

See also: feel, hard

get something over and done with

to do something difficult or unpleasant as soon as you can so that you do not have to worry about it any more. I've made an appointment to have my wisdom tooth out tomorrow morning. I just want to get it over and done with.

See also: over

have [done/seen/had etc.] more something than someone has had hot dinners (British & Australian)

to have done, seen, had etc. something many times, so that you have had more experience of it than the person you are talking to. Young man, I've been to more football matches than you've had hot dinners, so you don't have to explain the rules of the game to me.

See also: dinner, had, has, hot, more, seen

No sooner said than done.

something that you say when something is done as soon as someone asks for it or suggests it. 'Would you mind closing the window for a while?' 'No sooner said than done.'

See also: said, sooner

when all is said and done

something that you say when you are about to tell someone the most important fact in a situation. When all is said and done, a child's moral upbringing is the parents' responsibility.

See also: all, said

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been there, done that

I have experienced that before. If your attitude toward Las Vegas is been there, done that, perhaps it's time to try a different vacation spot.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form been there, done that, got the T-shirt: Our manager promises things will change, but a lot of us have been there, done that, got the T-shirt, so we don't plan to stick around.

See also: been, that

a done deal

a final decision or agreement. We've already hired someone for the position, so this is a done deal.

Usage notes: often used in the forms it's a done deal or it's not a done deal: We told them we needed more time to think about it, so it's not a done deal.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of done (= finished)

See also: deal

done for

about to fail, suffer, or die. If we have to rely on Warren for a solution, we are done for. With rockets flying overhead and machine guns shooting at us, I thought we were done for.

Usage notes: usually used after the verb be, as in the example

done in

too tired to do any more. He looked completely done in when he arrived at work.

easier said than done

less difficult to talk about than to do. Gun control may be a good idea, but actually getting the guns out of the peoples' hands is easier said than done.

See also: easy, said

not done

not socially acceptable. Where he comes from, saying no to someone who wants to help is not done.

Usage notes: often used after just or simply: In 1932, living with someone you weren't married to was simply not done.Edited & trf from not to done--SL, 8/02

well done

I am very pleased. OK, you've learned to use the computer. Well done!

See also: well

when all is said and done

when everything has been considered. When all is said and done, we can't reduce the number of nurses without lowering the quality of patient care.

in the end

at the end of the day

in the final analysis

See also: all, said