dye
dye in the wool
To stain wool fibers with dye before they are spun into thread, thus making the coloration more permanent. This phrase has led to the idiomatic modifier "dyed-in-the-wool," meaning permanent and or firmly established, such as one's opinions. All of our products are handmade, and we always dye in the wool to ensure that your clothing's color remains vibrant for years to come.
See also: dye, wool
dyed-in-the-wool
Permanent and or firmly established, such as in one's opinions or beliefs. Good luck getting him to listen to your political views—he's a dyed-in-the-wool liberal.
how-d'ye-do
informal
1. An informal, colloquial greeting (a contraction of "how do you do?"). Well hey, Bob, how-d'ye-do? Been a long time since I've seen you around here!
2. An unfortunate, unpleasant, or awkward situation or circumstance; a troublesome or difficult state of affairs. (Often phrased as "a fine how-d'ye-do.") Well that's a fine how-d'ye-do. I'm on the job for just two days and I find out that the company is going bankrupt!
of the blackest dye
To the furthest degree or extent. If you are trying to get your poor mother to take the blame for you, you are really a criminal of the blackest dye!
See also: black, dye, of
of the deepest dye
Of the worst or most extreme type. On outskirts of the kingdom was a prison filled with criminals of the deepest dye.
See also: deep, dye, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
dyed-in-the-wool
[of someone] permanent or extreme. My uncle was a dyed-in-the-wool farmer. He wouldn't change for anything. Sally is a dyed-in-the-wool socialist.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
dyed-in-the-wool
COMMON You use dyed-in-the-wool to describe a supporter of a particular set of beliefs or a member of a particular group, meaning that their beliefs or feelings are very strong and will never change. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Labour man so he'll not get my vote. Mr Purves has made Hong Kong his home for the past 38 years but he remains a dyed-in-the-wool Scotsman. Michael is a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist. Note: In medieval times, wool was often dyed before it was spun and woven. This meant that colour was more evenly distributed in the wool, and lasted longer.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
dyed in the wool
(of a person) completely and permanently fixed in a particular belief or opinion; inveterate.If yarn is dyed in the raw state, it produces a more even and permanent colour.
See also: dye, wool
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
of the deepest dye
Of the most extreme sort.
See also: deep, dye, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
dyed in the wool
Thoroughgoing, complete. The term, which dates from at least the sixteenth century, alludes to cloth made from wool that was dyed while raw (before it was spun) instead of being dyed piece by piece. The color therefore was “true” throughout, and this concept was transferred to other kinds of genuineness. “In half an hour he can come out an original democrat, dyed in the wool,” said Daniel Webster in a speech (Feb. 10, 1830). It has been a cliché since the early 1900s.
See also: dye, wool
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- dye in the wool
- nothing if not
- nothing if not (something)
- nothing if not something
- high old
- BTS
- ever so
- ever so/ever such...
- blink-and-you-miss-it
- once in a lifetime