English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Dead ringer

Meaning

The idiom "dead ringer" refers to someone or something that is an exact match, replica or doppelganger of another person or thing. It's commonly used to describe a physical resemblance between two people or objects that are so striking, it's like they've died and risen again in the other's image.

Usage

  • "I can't believe my brother is a dead ringer for our dad!" - This sentence suggests that the speaker's brother looks so much like their father, it's as if they were clones of each other.
  • "She was a dead ringer for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's." - In this sentence, the speaker is comparing someone's physical appearance to that of Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.
  • "The new CEO is a dead ringer for Steve Jobs!" - This sentence suggests that the new CEO looks so much like Steve Jobs, it's like they were both cloned from the same person.
  • "He was a dead ringer for the character of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark." - In this sentence, the speaker is comparing someone's physical appearance to that of the character Indiana Jones in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.
  • "The new car is a dead ringer for the original model from 1960!" - This sentence suggests that the new car looks so much like the original model from 1960, it's as if they were cloned from each other.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the phrase "dead ringer" dates back to 1587 in Middle English, where it was used to describe someone who was a physical replica or doppelganger of another person. Over time, the phrase has evolved to include a more figurative meaning, suggesting a striking similarity between two things or people that is so strong, it's like they were clones of each other.

Synonyms in English

  • Doppelganger
  • Look-alike
  • Double
  • Twin
  • Reflection

Synonyms in other languages

  • Doppelgänger (German) - This word translates to "look-alike" or "double". It is commonly used in German literature and popular culture, including films like The Ring and Metropolis.
  • Doppelganger (Swedish) - This word also translates to "look-alike" or "double". It is commonly used in Swedish literature and popular culture, including films like Gunnar Björkman's Pappa ante portas and Ake Berg's The Lighthouse.
  • Doppelganger (Danish) - This word also translates to "look-alike" or "double". It is commonly used in Danish literature and popular culture, including films like Fyretøjernes Ældste Mand and Børge Morsen's Almindelig Mands Liv.
  • Doppelganger (Finnish) - This word also translates to "look-alike" or "double". It is commonly used in Finnish literature and popular culture, including films like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and My Little Princess.
  • Doppelgänger (Polish) - This word also translates to "look-alike" or "double". It is commonly used in Polish literature and popular culture, including films like Krakow, Mon Amour and The Wicker Man.

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