dance card

a dance card

A list that women used to make of the men with whom they intended to dance at a ball, gala, or similar formal dance. A: "I can't remember the name of that charming fellow I danced with at the end of the night." B: "Didn't you write it on your dance card?"
See also: card, dance
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dance card

A list of dance partners. Although the youth of today may find it hard to believe, there was a time when couples that went to a party or a dance danced with other people. This was especially true at proms, cotillions, and balls. In order for a woman, and not just the belle of the ball, to keep track of her partners, she entered their names on a dance card, a small booklet issued by the event's organizers that was attached to the wrist or dress with a thin cord. It was then up to the gentlemen to remember their partners for the evening (men often kept their own lists). As a marginally polite but pointed way to brush someone off, you might smile and say, “I'd love to, but my dance card is filled."
See also: card, dance
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • a dance card
  • stag line
  • dance to
  • dance to (something)
  • put on (one's) dancing shoes
  • dance
  • (would you) care to dance
  • care to dance?
  • bump and grind
  • dance at wedding
References in periodicals archive
Her dance card is full in the next coming months with upcoming performances in Australia, Spain, the U.S., and Canada, to name a few.
Billie Eilish's Net Worth As She Rises To Fame At The Age Of 17
The second reason is Burnley, five points adrift of the Mags with Manchester City and Arsenal at home and Chelsea and Everton away on their dance card.
Toon are simply better than the required number of clubs necessary to keep them in the division; CARDIFF OR BURNLEY FACE DROP, NOT MAGPIES
"It doesn't seem to me to be valuable to be wishing and hoping for things that don't appear to have been on your dance card. I go with what we have.
Kenneth Branagh on being Shakespeare
Clearly, she and other glamorous socialites needed something in which they could carry essentials such as comb, mirror, dance card, cigarette holder and watch while out on the town.
AN ESSENTIAL ACCESSORY
I definitely do not want to see the Curragh or Doncaster on his dance card. A potential champion should be campaigned like one.
Let Saxon Warrior prove himself in the big battles; LETTERS
As she filled me in on what was happening next in her life, it became clear that putting down roots there, or anywhere, is not next on her dance card. She is a self-proclaimed unsettled person.
Always feel at home by carrying a fabric you love
Punch up your dance card while dancing with the stars and fill up on drinks with your ration card while you enjoy the show.
CAC Studios and Clifton's Republic Partner Up for It's Second Year to Offer a Glimpse Into 1940's Hollywood
And for Bluebirds fans Tommy and Ross this week it was a bronze art nouveau dance card book that attracted the interest of their expert Caroline Hawley at an antiques fayre at the National Botanic Gardens in Carmarthenshire.
Bluebirds fans refuse antique... with swans on it; to see the clip, visit walesonline.co.uk
Libra Sept 24 to Oct 23 With Venus and Mercury in your flirty fifth house, your dance card will be full.
Stars; Scotland's top astrologer David Wells on the week ahead
This leaves the field to Metcalf, a stage favorite who maintains a strong theatrical presence despite a full dance card in film and television ("Getting On," "The Big Bang Theory," the "Toy Story" series).
Misery
15 stressed neither Putin nor Iranian President Hassan Rowhani figured on President Obama's "dance card" of meetings with foreign leaders during the UN General Assembly's Sept.
The EEU Project & Astana's Rebellion
Unfortunately, in the day-to-day hustle of business, casual networking often falls off the dance card. I counsel young women that these lunches/networking opportunities are crucial and that they need to find a never-perfect balance between spending that extra hour or two making the work perfect and spending time networking.
Rising star: Holly K. Kulka, NYSE Euronext
With meat on my dance card, a $26 tenderloin teriyaki stir fry special was a tempting way to throw in my RDA of vegetables.
Tender spot for meat and seafood
Your dance card fills up and your grip on sanity and decorum begins to loosen.
Out in the stars
Our dance card is pretty full already for January and February," Teahen told Wines & Vines.
Wine Recruiting Hints at Booming 2014