dilly

a real dilly

Something or someone remarkable, excellent, or very entertaining. "Dilly," an American term from the early 1900s, possibly comes from the first syllable of the word "delightful" or "delicious." Primarily heard in US. I tell you, she's a real dilly. Out at 6 a.m. for a run, getting the kids off to school at 7, then out to manage the firm at 8. That film last night was a real dilly, I couldn't stop thinking about it all night.
See also: dilly, real

dilly-dally (around) with (someone or something)

To waste time with someone or something. You spent so much time dilly-dallying with your friends that now you'll be up all night writing that paper.

What's the dilly?

slang What happened, is happening, or is going to happen? Why did something happen or is someone acting a certain way? ("Dilly" is likely a colloquial pronunciation of "dealy," itself a humorous, informal form of "deal.") You seem upset—what's the dilly, yo? So, what's the dilly? Are we heading straight to the movie or do you want to grab dinner first?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dilly-dally (around) with someone or something

to waste time frivolously with someone or something. Stop dilly dallying around with your friends. He is always dilly-dallying around with his work.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

dilly

n. something excellent. This little car is a real dilly.

What’s the dilly?

interrog. What’s going on?; What’s the deal? (Dilly is a pronunciation of dealy.) Who’s shouting? What’s the dilly?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a real dilly
  • (someone or something) to shout about
  • What’s the dilly?
  • What's the dilly?
  • else
  • dilly-dally (around) with (someone or something)
  • dilly-dally with
  • yello
  • sound out
  • bring something alive
References in periodicals archive
Piers asked Dillyif he thought being gay was a choice or if people were born gay and Dilly said he believed it was a choice.
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan slams journalist who believes homosexuality is a "sin" and "a choice"; "We're in a tolerant country, we're not in Islamabad"
General manager Stephen Chartres and the Dilly's executive committee are delighted with how the Bistro continues to blossom.
More than just a sushi night
"For if thou cannot say Dilly Dilly, thou can still wear Dilly Dilly.
Fox News stands behind Ingraham as advertisers flee
Woowa jointly developed Dilly with a Korea University professor's research team.
Food delivery robots to roam Seoul streets
He liked to surround himself with female codebreakers who became known as Dilly's Girls, including his main protege Mavis Batey, who went on to write a biography about him.
Enigma of the 'forgotten' hero of Bletchley Park; The little known Birmingham genius who broke German codes BEFOREALANTURING but failed to win the accolades
| Dilly's Girls - the women Dilly Knox surrounded himself with at the codebreaking huts in Bletchley Park
Enigma of the 'forgotten' codebr eaker; Little known Brummie genius who broke German codes alongside Alan Turing at Bletchley Park
Her panicked owners, both experienced mountain walkers, called Llanberis Mountain Rescue for help before carrying Dilly down the mountain to meet the volunteers.
PET RESCUE; Collie Dilly plucked off Snowdon after walker slices open her paw with crampon
Emma Andrews, 43, is the author of Dilly's Dog's Disguises.
Books
Earlier, Najib "battled" with radio caller Yang Poh Ling in Mix FM's Battle of the Sexes, when he went live with deejays JD and Dilly.
Malaysian PM 'punk's' radio listeners
POPPADOM PREACH BY ALMAS KHAN (Simon & Schuster, pounds 7.99) THIS is the story of Dilly, a girl growing up in a Pakistani household in '70s and '80s Bradford.
books
9/10 * Poppadom Preach, by Almas Khan in paperback by Simon &Schuster, pounds 7.99 THIS is the story of a girl, Dilly, growing up in a Pakistani household in Seventies and Eighties Bradford.
books; NEW FICTION
Brian Dilly runs a local diving company, Dive-in2-Pembrokeshire, and believes Skomer is one of the best diving locations he has ever experienced.
The Great Barrier Reef? No, this exotic world lies hidden in waters just off the Welsh coast; Non-divers given rare glimpse of marine nature reserve's gems
4 Their cat Dilly, who performs all sorts of stunts--like crazy leaps from furniture to furniture.
Five greats: living' with lesbians with David Gravette
The novel also focuses on Eleanora's relationship with her mother, Dilly, maintaining the mother-daughter theme that runs throughout O'Brien's fiction.
The uncharted deep