Phrases with word doctor

(all) done up like a pox doctor’s clerk

Dressed in a showy, flashy, or excessively fancy manner; overdressed. (The meaning of «pox doctor» in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. He showed up to the interview done up like a pox doctor’s clerk. You could tell he was eager to make a good impression—maybe a bit too eager. Why are you all done up like a pox doctor’s clerk? We’re only going to the movies. I’m all done up like a pox doctor’s clerk because the CEO was supposed to visit our office today. But his plans changed, and now I just look like a fool.

(all) dressed up like a pox doctor’s clerk

Dressed in a showy, flashy, or excessively fancy manner; overdressed. Said especially of a man. (The meaning of «pox doctor» in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. He showed up to the interview dressed up like a pox doctor’s clerk. You could tell he was eager to make a good impression—maybe a bit too eager. Why are you all dressed up like a pox doctor’s clerk? We’re only going to the movies. I’m all dressed up like a pox doctor’s clerk because the CEO was supposed to visit our office today. But his plans changed, and now I just look like a fool.

an apple a day keeps the doctor away

Eating healthy foods will keep one from getting sick (and needing to see a doctor). Primarily heard in US. Have an apple for a snack, instead of those chips. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, after all. A: «An apple a day keeps the doctor away!» B: «OK, that saying is as untrue as it is annoying!» People consider me eccentric for my insistence on going for a walk at dawn each morning, but an apple a day keeps the doctor away, as they say!

be just what the doctor ordered

To be exactly what one needed or wanted. The phrase does not usually refer to one’s actual medical needs. I’ve been working on this paper all week, so a night out with friends is just what the doctor ordered! This beach vacation was just what the doctor ordered—I’ve never felt more relaxed.

couch doctor

slang

1. A psychotherapist or psychoanalyst. I’ve been seeing the same couch doctor for nearly a year, but I don’t feel like it has made any improvement to my mental health. He’s going to need some long sessions with a couch doctor after what happened.

2. Someone who specializes in repairing or making alterations to couches. A: «The kids were jumping on the couch and broke one of the arm rests!» B: «There’s a couch doctor in town you can take it to. He does really great work.»

3. Someone who specializes in transporting couches into or out of difficult or tricky locations. I’m looking for a local couch doctor who can help move my new couch into my fifth-floor apartment. I have no idea how I’ll do it by myself.

Doctor Livingstone, I presume?

A humorous greeting. The phrase refers to Scottish explorer David Livingstone, who was presumed lost in Africa in the mid-19th century. When reporter H.M. Stanley finally located him, he supposedly greeted Livingstone with this now-famous phrase. You must be the gentleman I’m looking for—Doctor Livingstone, I presume?

doctor up

1. To treat someone medically. A noun or pronoun can be used between «doctor» and «up.» Oh, I cut my hand chopping vegetables and had to get doctored up, but I’m fine now.

2. To alter, and perhaps falsify, something in an attempt to improve it. A noun or pronoun can be used between «doctor» and «up.» The studio says the we have to doctor the script up because it’s too bland. Does this picture look fake to you? I think the defense team doctored it up.

Doctors make the worst patients.

proverb It is difficult to give people help or advice on something in which they are professionals, because they often feel as though they already know better than anyone else how to handle the situation or perform a given task. Mary tried to convince her boss at the bank to see a credit advisor about his growing debt, but he kept insisting that he knew how to manage his money. Doctors make the worst patients.

doctor’s orders

Instructions given by one’s doctor. Acting upon my doctor’s orders, I cleared my schedule and spent the week recuperating at home. Samantha, you need to stay off your foot and use your crutches—doctor’s orders, remember?

dome-doctor

slang A psychologist or psychiatrist. «Dome» is slang term for «head.» The phrase is usually used in a derogatory way. Ugh, I don’t want to see a dome-doctor and talk about my feelings.

go for the doctor

To give something one’s full effort or attention. Primarily heard in Australia. They are going for the doctor to win this game, but I will be very surprised if they beat the best team in the league.

good doctor

obsolete A respectful term used to address or refer to a doctor. Reginald, call the good doctor at once—I think Lady Mary has gone into labor! Thank for coming so quickly, good doctor. We really needed your help.

horse doctor

rude slang A physician who is regarded as poor or inept. You better get a second opinion on your condition because Dr. Jones strikes me as a horse doctor.

I’m a (something), not a (something else)

Used to emphasize one’s status as a certain type of person to the exclusion of some other type. Modeled on the catch phrase of Dr. McCoy in the television series Star Trek, «I’m a doctor, not a (something).» A: «What do you think would be the best way to market our new app?» B: «Hey, don’t ask me—I’m a programmer, not a salesperson.» A: «Do you think you can repair the car?» B: «Lady, I’m a mechanic, not a miracle worker. This thing is totaled.»

See also: not

Is there a doctor in the house?

cliché An expression used to ask if a doctor is present in order to administer medical care for someone in distress. Traditionally used in reference to the audience of a theater performance («the house» being the portion of the theater in which an audience sits). Oh my God, one of the actors is having a heart attack! Is there a doctor in the house?

just what the doctor ordered

Exactly the thing that is or was needed to help improve something or make one feel better. A short nap is just what the doctor ordered. You’ll feel refreshed in no time. New lighting is just what the doctor ordered for the waiting room—it looks so much cheerier in here now!

pox doctor’s clerk

Someone who is overdressed or wearing a showy, flashy outfit. (The meaning of «pox doctor» in this context is not known.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Why are you all done up like a pox doctor’s clerk? We’re only going to the movies. Now that he’s making big money, he always goes around looking like a pox doctor’s clerk.

spin doctor

One who manipulates information, often by attempting to present negative news as being somehow positive. The campaign’s spin doctors somehow made the candidate’s poor performance in the debate look like a sign that he was the more relatable candidate.

wear (one’s particular profession’s) hat

To act as one would in one’s particular profession while in a different setting. Bobby, I know you’re off duty, but can you please wear your doctor’s hat for five minutes and tell me what’s wrong with my arm? I don’t want to have to go to the hospital. My wife was still wearing her judge’s hat when she tried to intervene with our neighbor’s arguing kids.

you’re the doctor

dated You are the one in charge or the one who knows best. Said as an indication that one will defer to the judgment of someone else (not an actual doctor). A: «No, I’d rather make the payment all at once, even if it results in a higher transaction fee.» B: «OK, you’re the doctor.» A: «I’m telling you that the witness’s life is in danger if she stays here!» B: «All right, all right—you’re the doctor. So, what should we do with her, Detective?»

zit doctor

slang A dermatologist. («Zit» is slang for «pimple.») You may think she’s little more than a zit doctor, but she saved my life when she discovered I had skin cancer two years ago! Why would I spend so much money just to have a zit doctor tell me I should keep using moisturizers and sun block?

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

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Prov. Apples are so nutritious that if you eat an apple every day, you will not ever need to go to a doctor. Remember to take an apple in your lunch today. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Grandma always fed us lots of apples when we visited her. She believed that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Doctor Livingstone, I presume?

Jocular You are who I think you are, are you not? Oh, there you are. Doctor Livingstone, I presume?

doctor’s orders something

that one is strongly advised to do as ordered or as if ordered by a doctor. I have to spend a month in Arizona. Doctor’s orders. I’m doing this on doctor’s orders, but I don’t like it.

doctor someone up

to give someone medical treatment, especially first aid. Give me a minute to doctor Fred up, and then we can continue our walk. I’ll doctor up Fred with a bandage; you can go on ahead.

just what the doctor ordered

Fig. exactly what is required, especially for health or comfort. That meal was delicious, Bob. Just what the doctor ordered. Bob: Would you like something to drink? Mary: Yes, a cold glass of water would be just what the doctor ordered.

spin doctor

someone who gives a twisted or deviously deceptive version of an event. (Usually in the context of manipulating the news for political reasons.) Things were going bad for the candidate, so he got himself a new spin doctor. A good spin doctor could have made the incident appear far less damaging.

You’re the doctor.

Inf. Fig. You are in a position to tell me what to do.; I yield to you and your knowledge of this matter. (Usually jocular; the person being addressed is most likely not a physician.) Bill: Eat your dinner, then you’ll feel more like playing ball. Get some energy! Tom: Okay, you’re the doctor. Teacher: You’d better study the first two chapters more thoroughly. Bob: You’re the doctor.

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

apple a day

A small preventive treatment wards off serious problems, as in He exercises regularly-an apple a day is his motto. This idiom shortens the proverb An apple a day keeps the doctor away, first cited about 1630.

just what the doctor ordered

Exactly what was needed. For example, This steak is just what the doctor ordered, or You’ve been a great help in our office-just what the doctor ordered. This expression alludes to a physician’s prescription for a cure. [First half of 1900s]

spin doctor

An individual charged with getting others to interpret a statement or event from a particular viewpoint, as in Charlie is the governor’s spin doctor. This term, born about 1980 along with spin control, uses doctor in the colloquial sense of «one who repairs something.»

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

just what the doctor ordered

If you say that something is just what the doctor ordered, you mean that it is extremely enjoyable or useful and helps to make you feel better or to improve a situation. `Meatballs in tomato sauce!’ Max exclaimed happily. `Just what the doctor ordered.’ A few days’ break in Honolulu was just what the doctor ordered.

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be just what the doctor ordered

be very beneficial or desirable under the circumstances. informal

1948 Gore Vidal The City and the Pillar The waiter brought her a drink. ‘Just what the doctor ordered,’ she said, smiling at him.

go for the doctor

make an all-out effort. Australian informal

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

just what the doctor ˈordered

(humorous, saying) exactly what somebody wants or needs: Ah, a long, cool, refreshing drink! Just what the doctor ordered!

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

doctor up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

couch-doctor

and couch-turkey

dome-doctor

horse doctor

just what the doctor ordered

spin doctor

You’re the doctor

zit doctor

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

an apple a day (keeps the doctor away)

A proverbial preventive remedy. Versions of this saying date from the seventeenth century or earlier, appearing in John Ray’s proverb collection of 1670 and elsewhere. A cliché by the late nineteenth century, it gave rise to numerous humorous versions, such as “A stanza a day to keep the wolf away” by the poet Phyllis McGinley.

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer

Doctor Livingstone, I presume?

A 19th-century explorer named Dr. David Livingstone became something of a national hero through his articles and lectures about his adventures in Africa. In 1864, Livingstone led an expedition to discover the source of the Nile. When little to nothing was heard from or about Livingstone after many years, Europeans and Americans became concerned. In 1871, the publisher of the New York Herald hired Henry Stanley, a newspaper reporter, to find Livingstone. Heading a group of some two hundred men, Stanley headed into the African interior. After nearly eight months he found Livingstone in a small village on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. As Stanley described the encounter, “As I advanced slowly toward him I noticed he was pale, looked wearied . . . I would have embraced him, only, he being an Englishman, I did not know how he would receive me; so I . . . walked deliberately to him, took off my hat, and said, ‘Dr. Livingstone, I presume?’ The phrase “‘Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” caught the public’s fancy, and any number of would-be wits greeted friends with it until the phrase lost all traces of cleverness. But that never stopped people from continuing to use it long past the public’s memory of who Livingstone or Stanley were.

Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price Copyright © 2011 by Steven D. Price

• (all) done up like a pox doctor’s clerk
• clerk
• (all) dressed up like a pox doctor’s clerk
• pox doctor’s clerk
• (all) dressed up like a Christmas tree
• grandstand
• grandstand play
• jazzy
• be (all) dressed up like a Christmas tree
• dressed like a dog’s dinner