dad

Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day!

(something) is not your dad's

Something is very modern or updated; something is no longer what an older generation would expect or be used to. With every building now featuring wireless Internet and touch-screen monitors integrated into the desks in each classroom, this is certainly not your dad's high school anymore. Incredible graphics, blast processing speeds, revolutionary games—the new Super Bimtendo isn't your dad's video game console, that's for sure! This is not your dad's job market, as most applicants today are expected to have at least a bachelor's degree.

See also: not

bio dad

One's biological father, as opposed to one's adoptive father (or perhaps other non-biological father figure). I finally found my bio dad by using some genealogy sites and Facebook.

See also: bio, dad

bonus dad

An alternative to the title "step-dad," which is a male caregiver of a child who assumed the parental role through marriage to one of the child's original (usually biological) parents. Most commonly, a step-dad is the second husband of a child's biological mother. I live with my dad during the week and then visit my mom and bonus dad every other weekend.

See also: bonus, dad

dad bod

slang A physique characterized by moderate chubbiness; the stereotypical physique of a middle-aged dad. The phrase is often used affectionately or approvingly. Aww, I don't care that he's a bigger guy—I like guys with a dad bod.

See also: bod, dad

dad fetch my buttons

Oh my goodness! An exclamation of surprise. Dad fetch my buttons, I didn't expect such an outpouring of support from y'all!

See also: button, dad, fetch

deadbeat dad

slang A father who is not involved in the lives of his child(ren), physically and/or monetarily. Don't be a deadbeat dad, Sean—go see your kids this weekend! I'm no deadbeat dad, I make all of my child support payments!

See also: dad, deadbeat

doodad

A name for a gadget or thing whose actual name is unknown or has been forgotten. Where's that doodad? I need it to finish this repair. Hand me that doodad or whatever it's called, will you?

granddad

slang Someone who acts in an outdated and uncool manner. Oh, he's a real granddad. He'll never go to a club with us.

hodad

slang Someone who cannot surf, possibly in spite of actions or statements to the contrary. Of course that dude wiped out—he's a total hodad!

not your dad's

Very modern or updated; no longer what an older generation would expect or be used to. With every building now featuring wireless Internet and touch-screen monitors integrated into the desks in each classroom, this is certainly not your dad's high school anymore.

See also: not

stay-at-home dad

A father who forgoes employment outside of the home in order to care for his children and the household. Being a stay-at-home dad is just as much hard work as going to an office every day.

See also: dad

step-dad

A male caregiver of a child who assumed the parental role through marriage to one of the child's original (usually biological) parents. Most commonly, a step-dad is the second husband of a child's biological mother. I live with my dad during the week and then visit my mom and step-dad every other weekend.

this is (someone)

informal Used to quote, paraphrase, or mimic the words of someone else, especially in a mocking or derisive manner. This is you right now—"Blah, blah, blah, I'm so important, everyone has to listen to me, blah de blah de blah!" So everyone is having this really serious discussion about what's going on in the world, and this is James: "You know, I got pulled over one time for having a tail light out. It was pretty scary." Like, read the room, James!

See also: this

tiger dad

A particularly strict father who makes his child or children work very hard in school in order to achieve success. Said especially of fathers of Asian descent. I had always told myself I would not turn into a tiger dad like my dad before me, determined to let my daughter enjoy a more carefree childhood than I was afforded. My friends and I always joke about how the only reason we got jobs was because our tiger dads made sure we never took a day off from our studies.

See also: dad, tiger

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Dad fetch my buttons!

Rur. What a surprise!; Goodness me! Dad fetch my buttons! It's a letter from Aunt Rita! Dad fetch my buttons, I never was so happy in all my life!

See also: dad, fetch

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

doodad

(ˈdudæd)

n. a name for a gadget. I don’t know what they’re called. If they had names, they wouldn’t be doodads, now would they?

granddad

n. an old-fashioned person; an out-of-date person. Don’t be such a granddad. Live a little.

hodad

and hodaddy (ˈhodæd(i))

1. n. someone, usually a male, who poses (badly) as a surfer. (California. Possibly a blend of ho = whore and dad(dy) = male.) Who’s that hodaddy with the crumby looking board?

2. n. an obnoxious person; a repellent person. (California.) Ted is a total hodad.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.