dead ringer

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noun Slang.

a person or thing that closely resembles another; ringer: That old car is a dead ringer for the one we used to own.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of dead ringer

First recorded in 1890–95

Words nearby dead ringer

deadpan, dead point, dead president, dead-reckon, dead reckoning, dead ringer, deadrise, dead run, Dead Sea, Dead Sea fruit, Dead Sea Scrolls

How to use dead ringer in a sentence

Their narrow snouts and sharp, curved teeth could’ve been a dead ringer for the domes of the more familiar Australian terrors, though the two species are not directly related.
The land-dwelling ‘hell heron’ was a 30-foot aquatic assassin|Elana Spivack|October 1, 2021|Popular-Science
Looking at those weirdly shaped breads provided a much-needed injection of serotonin, and what’s more, standing upright next to each other, bread tube breads are a dead ringer for the cover of the Wilco album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
A Bread Tube Will Cure the Mundanity of Regular Bread-Baking|Dayna Evans|April 8, 2021|Eater
And the kid playing Biggie is a dead ringer for the silky smooth MC.
Spike Jonze’s 13 Best Music Videos: Beastie Boys, Kanye West, Fatboy Slim, and More|Marlow Stern|December 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
At the Tony Awards on Sunday night, Christie Brinkley was a dead ringer for Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean.
Frances McDormand, Fashion Genius!|Isabel Wilkinson|June 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST

It also helps when your tour guide is a dead ringer for the actress Mila Kunis, as ours is at Bates.
The Great College Road Trip|Nick Summers|April 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It is a dead-ringer for The Cheesecake Factory with endless pages of weirdly-paired choices from Vichysoisse to Pad Thai.
Gal With a Suitcase: Shanghai|Jolie Hunt|January 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
She used to be a dead ringer for Elaine on Seinfeld until this election.
Watch Your Back, Sarah|Margaret Carlson|September 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Isn't Ida's a dead ringer for the lady's head on the silver dollar?
Roads of Destiny|O. Henry
That fresh guy is a dead ringer for a feller that quit his wife and five kids in Livingston and run off with a biscuit-shooter.
'Me-Smith'|Caroline Lockhart
The signature he put on this paper is a dead ringer for the one on the registry blank you gave Dale.
Square Deal Sanderson|Charles Alden Seltzer
To cut it short--he got himself a white-speckled mustang that's a dead ringer for Spottie.
The Mysterious Rider|Zane Grey
For the dinky little picture under the cameo is a dead ringer for the one Claire had shown us in the silver frame.
The House of Torchy|Sewell Ford

Other Idioms and Phrases with dead ringer

dead ringer

A person or thing that closely resembles another; an exact counterpart. For example, Brian's a dead ringer for his Dad, or That red bike is a dead ringer for Mary's. [Late 1800s]

dead ringer

Origin of dead ringer

Words nearby dead ringer

Words related to dead ringer

How to use dead ringer in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with dead ringer