dish

a real dish

slang Someone who is very attractive. Most often used in reference to females. Wow, that girl's a real dish! But she'd never go out with a dork like me.
See also: dish, real

dish

1. verb, slang To gossip. Did Tom really quit? Dish, sister! Those popular girls are always dishing the dirt on someone in our class.
2. verb, slang To chat. Come on in, we're just sitting here dishing.
3. noun, slang Someone who is very attractive. Most often used in reference to females. Wow, that girl's a real dish! But she'd never go out with a dork like me. A: "Check out that dish over at the bar." B: "Whoa, she's stunning."

dish it out

To voice harsh thoughts, criticisms, or insults. You were all over your sister about her eating habits, but you start pouting when I point out that you had a cupcake for dinner last night! What, you can only dish it out?
See also: dish, out

dish on (someone or something)

slang To gossip about someone or something. Those popular girls are always dishing on someone in our class.
See also: dish, on

dish out

1. To distribute prepared food, especially using a utensil to serve it onto or into individual dishes. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dish" and "out." We should get back to our table—the servers have started dishing out the food.
2. By extension, to dispense something, often verbally. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dish" and "out." Ross is better at dishing out criticism than receiving it himself. That professor is a much harder grader this semester—he must have gotten in trouble for dishing out too many A's.
See also: dish, out

dish the dirt

slang To gossip about someone or something. Those popular girls are always dishing the dirt on someone in our class. I know, it's been way too long since we got together and dished the dirt.
See also: dirt, dish

dish the dirt on (someone or something)

slang To gossip about someone or something. Those popular girls are always dishing the dirt on someone in our class.
See also: dirt, dish, on

dish up

1. To distribute food into bowls or onto plates to serve to others. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dish" and "up." OK, everyone take your seats. I'm just about ready to start dishing up the stew! Please take the casserole out of the oven and start dishing it up.
2. To create something for a lot of people to enjoy or consume. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dish" and "up." The movie studio is known for dishing up the same kinds of schlocky horror movies.
See also: dish, up

dishrag

A very weak-willed, helpless, or cowardly person; one who lacks any real resolve, inner-strength, or motivation. My father was a sweet man, but he was a total dishrag in all other aspects of life, bending to the will of everyone around him. I tried to raise you to be strong and independent, not some dishrag who just coasts through life without ambition.

do the dishes

To wash plates, glasses, bowls, silverware etc. with soap and water. Since you cooked dinner, I'll clear the table and do the dishes.
See also: dish

if you can't take it, (then) don't dish it out

If you don't want to hear someone else's harsh criticisms, gibes, or insults, then don't say those kinds of things to them. You were all over your sister about her eating habits, but you start pouting when I point out that you had a cupcake for dinner last night! If you can't take it, don't dish it out.
See also: dish, if, out, take

limp dishrag

1. A very weak willed, helpless, or cowardly person; one who lacks any real resolve, inner-strength, or motivation. My father was a sweet man, but he was a limp dishrag in all other aspects of life, bending to the will of everyone around him. I tried to raise you to be strong and independent, not some limp dishrag who just coasts through life without ambition. The new supervisor has been as effective at controlling his team as a limp dishrag.
2. One who is completely worn out or without energy. Between my hectic job and trying to mind the kids, I always feel like a limp dish rag by the time I get to bed at night. My dad used to work crazy long hours when we were kids, and he would just sit on the sofa like a limp dishrag on the weekends.
See also: dishrag, limp

limp rag

1. A very weak willed, helpless, or cowardly person; one who lacks any real resolve, inner-strength, or motivation. My father was a sweet man, but he was a limp rag in all other aspects of life, bending to the will of everyone around him. I tried to raise you to be strong and independent, not some limp rag who just coasts through life without ambition. The new supervisor has been as effective at controlling his team as a limp rag.
2. One who is completely worn out or without energy. Between my hectic job and trying to mind the kids, I always feel like a limp dish rag by the time I get to bed at night. My dad used to work crazy long hours when we were kids, and he would just sit on the sofa like a limp rag on the weekends.
See also: limp, rag

Revenge is a dish best eaten cold.

Revenge that takes place far in the future, after the offending party has forgotten how they wronged someone, is much more satisfying. I never forgot the way he bullied and humiliated me in high school, but I chose to bide my time. Ten years later, my global corporation bought his family's puny company and exploited it for everything it was worth, leaving him penniless. It's true what they say—revenge is a dish best eaten cold.
See also: dish, eaten, revenge

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Revenge that takes place far in the future, after the offending party has forgotten how they wronged someone, is much more satisfying. I never forgot the way he bullied and humiliated me in high school, but I chose to bide my time. Ten years later, my global corporation bought his family's puny company exploited it for everything it was worth, leaving him penniless. It's true what they say—revenge is a dish best served cold.
See also: dish, revenge, serve

wet dishrag

1. A very weak willed, helpless, or cowardly person; one who lacks any real resolve, inner-strength, or motivation. My father was a sweet man, but he was a wet dishrag in all other aspects of life, bending to the will of everyone around him. I tried to raise you to be strong and independent, not some wet dishrag who just coasts through life without ambition. The new supervisor has been as effective at controlling his team as a wet dishrag.
2. One who is completely worn out or without energy. Between my hectic job and trying to mind the kids, I always feel like a wet dish rag by the time I get to bed at night. My dad used to work crazy long hours when we were kids, and he would just sit on the sofa like a wet dishrag on the weekends.
See also: dishrag, wet

wet rag

1. A very weak willed, helpless, or cowardly person; one who lacks any real resolve, inner-strength, or motivation. My father was a sweet man, but he was a wet rag in all other aspects of life, bending to the will of everyone around him. I tried to raise you to be strong and independent, not some wet rag who just coasts through life without ambition. The new supervisor has been as effective at controlling his team as a wet rag.
2. One who is completely worn out or without energy. Between my hectic job and trying to mind the kids, I always feel like a wet dish rag by the time I get to bed at night. My dad used to work crazy long hours when we were kids, and he would just sit on the sofa like a wet rag on the weekends.
See also: rag, wet

you can dish it out, but you can't take it

You can voice harsh thoughts, criticisms, or insults toward others, but you do not like when someone else does the same to you. You were all over your sister about her eating habits, but you start pouting when I point out that you had a cupcake for dinner last night! What, you can dish it out, but you can't take it?
See also: but, can, dish, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dish on someone

Sl. to gossip about or slander someone. Stop dishing on her. She never hurt you! They spent an hour dishing on Wally.
See also: dish, on

dish something out

 
1. Lit. to serve up food to people. I'll dish it out, and you take it to the table. Careful how you dish out the mashed potatoes. There may not be enough.
2. Fig. to distribute information, news, etc. The press secretaries were dishing reports out as fast as they could write them. The company dishes out propaganda on a regular basis.
3. Fig. to give out trouble, scoldings, criticism, etc. The boss was dishing criticism out this morning, and I really got it. The teacher dished out a scolding to each one who was involved in the prank.
See also: dish, out

dish the dirt

Sl. to spread gossip; to gossip. Let's sit down, have a drink, and dish the dirt. David goes down to the tavern to dish the dirt.
See also: dirt, dish

do the dishes

to wash the dishes; to wash and dry the dishes, knives, forks, glasses, etc., after a meal. Bill, you cannot go out and play until you've done the dishes. Why am I always the one who has to do the dishes?
See also: dish

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Prov. It is very satisfying to get revenge a long time after the event for which you want revenge. I don't mind waiting to get revenge on Greg; I'll wait ten years if I have to. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
See also: cold, dish, revenge, serve
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

dish out

1. Deal out, dispense, as in He dishes out advice to one and all. This expression alludes to serving food from a dish. ] Colloquial; first half of 1600s]
2. dish it out. Dispense abuse or punishment, as in He can dish it out with the best of them, but he can't take it. [Slang; c. 1930]
See also: dish, out

dish the dirt

Spread gossip or scandal, as in Sally was notorious for dishing the dirt. [Slang; 1920s]
See also: dirt, dish

do the dishes

Wash the plates, glasses, and silverware used at a meal. For example, If you walk the dog, I'll do the dishes.
See also: dish
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

dish the dirt

If one person dishes the dirt on another, they tell people unpleasant or shocking things about them. Many politicians are not above dishing the dirt on a fellow politician. In his autobiography he dishes the dirt on his buddies. Note: People sometimes describe this activity as dirt-dishing. By speaking out as he did, he has pushed up the potential value of any dirt-dishing memoirs he cares to write.
See also: dirt, dish
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

dish the dirt

reveal or spread scandalous information or gossip. informal
1997 New Scientist We love revisionist biographies that dish the dirt on our icons.
See also: dirt, dish

revenge is a dish best served (or eaten) cold

vengeance is often more satisfying if it is not exacted immediately. proverb
See also: cold, dish, revenge, serve
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌdish the ˈdirt (on somebody)

(informal) tell people unkind or unpleasant things about somebody, especially about their private life: When the newspaper offered her £10 000, she was only too happy to dish the dirt on her friends.
See also: dirt, dish
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

dish out

v.
1. To distribute some food from a container: The hosts dished out lots of steaming vegetables to the dinner guests. Could you dish the soup out while I pour the drinks?
2. To distribute something: The company dished out some $10 million in bribes. We made copies of our performance and dished them out to our friends.
See also: dish, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

dish

1. n. a good-looking woman. Now there’s a good-looking dish.
2. tv. to criticize someone or something; to spread gossip about someone or something. (see also dis(s).) The critics all dished the opening of the play mercilessly.

dish something out

1. tv. to serve up food to people. (Standard English.) I’ll dish it out, and you take it to the table.
2. tv. to distribute information, news, etc. The press secretaries were dishing reports out as fast as they could write them.
3. tv. to give out trouble, scoldings, criticism, etc. The boss was dishing criticism out this morning, and I really got it.
See also: dish, out, something

dish the dirt

tv. to spread gossip; to gossip. Let’s sit down, have a drink, and dish the dirt.
See also: dirt, dish

(limp) dishrag

n. a totally helpless person; a cowardly and spineless person. He’s sweet, but he’s a dishrag.
See also: dishrag, limp

dishrag

verb
See limp dishrag

wet rag

verb
See wet sock
See also: rag, wet
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

dish it out

Slang
To deal out criticism or abuse.
See also: dish, out
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • a real dish
  • cake hole
  • amaze
  • amazeballs
  • dime piece
  • dork
  • be the dead spit of (someone)
  • be the spit of
  • above and beyond the call of duty
  • bangin'
References in periodicals archive
--Control DISH set-top boxes, view weather updates, manage smart home tech and more
DISH Network Corporation--DISH activates The Google Assistant on Hopper receivers; debuts new Google-branded voice remote--31/7/2019
With a zeal in reintroducing local and traditional dishes for the younger generation, Carangian prepared a gastronomic adventure at the Corniche restaurant, covering long-forgotten dishes from different regions in the country.
Diamond Hotel revives long-forgotten Filipino dishes
That makes T-Mobile's talks with both Dish and the DOJ significant in clearing the sticking points before the deal is clinched in a week's time, according to reliable sources.
Sprint, T-Mobile Merger Could Be Finalized Next Week, Dish Added To Deal
So if you want to pay it forward to the next diner, simply take a photo of your meal (before you've scarfed it down!) and add a dish name so others can know what's good on the menu," Google noted in a blog post.
Google rolls out Popular Dishes feature on Google Maps created using crowdsourced images
Plaintiff Ross Miller obtained his Equifax credit report and noticed a credit inquiry from Defendant Dish Network.
EDVA: Dish Network's credit inquiry could be FCRA violation
The one-notch downgrade of the LT IDRs reflects the continued deterioration of DISH's operating profile, including persistent significant declines in the DISH-branded pay-TV subscribers, which have pressured revenues and EBITDA more than Fitch had previously anticipated for fiscal year (FY) 2017 and the company's announcement that it will invest up to $1 billion to complete the buildout of its 5G narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) network through 2020 (with the majority of the spending weighted toward 2019).
Fitch Downgrades DISH's IDR to 'B+'; Outlook Negative
And, he will continue to report to Ergen — a sign that he will still remain the company's leader but shift his focus away from DISH TV and Sling TV over-the-top (OTT) offering.
DISH Shift In Leadership As Ergen Exits CEO Role
DISH is increasing its presence in affected areas and expects to deploy nearly 150 technicians from across the country to assist with local recovery efforts in the coming days.
DISH Deploys 150 Outside Technicians To Hurricane-Impacted Areas
For customers, DISH has implemented standard procedures to assist in the wake of natural disasters.
DISH deploys disaster relief services through corporate citizenship program
Parkhead Hotel, Bishop Auckland, www.parkheadhotel.co.uk Dish: Bishops best steak and ale pudding.
TASTE DURHAM MONTH MENUS
Unlike other 4K pay-TV options which are confined to an app on select TVs, the DISH 4K Joey is dedicated hardware that will be compatible with all HDMI 2.0/ HDCP 2.2-compliant televisions.
DISH LAUNCHES 4K ULTRA HD SET-TOP BOX
Dish Dish members can re-size recipes, comment and share recipes with the click of a button.
Dish Dish Introduces Recipe Organizer App for iPhone
THIS dish is super-cool and would be wonderful on its own just as an arty object, or on a sideboard in the hall to throw your keys into as you walk through the door.
this week's crush
The recent stormy weather with heavy rains wreaked havoc for many, but proved to be a windfall for satellite dish technicians.
Bad weather dishes out good business for TV technicians
Dish has agreed to pay $700 million to Cablevision and its sister company AMC Networks to settle claims that Dish violated a 15-year programming deal with AMC's now-defunct service Voom HD.
Dish Network settles with Cablevision and AMC, starts carrying AMC channels again