do-si-do

American  

[doh-see-doh] / ˈdoʊ siˈdoʊ /

noun

plural

do-si-dos

1. a figure in square-dancing, in which two persons advance, pass around each other back to back, and return to their places.

---

verb (used with object)

do-si-doed, do-si-doing

1. to dance this figure around (one's partner).

verb (used without object)

do-si-doed, do-si-doing

1. to execute a do-si-do.

do-si-do British  

/ ˌdəʊsɪˈdəʊ /

noun

1. a square-dance figure in which dancers pass each other with right shoulders close or touching and circle back to back

---

1. a call instructing dancers to perform such a figure

Etymology

Origin of do-si-do

dos-à-dos

Example Sentences

Nick’s energized romantic do-si-do destabilizes the group, and gives them something new to gossip about and compare their own lives with as they wobble through the ensuing year.

From Los Angeles Times

Gravitational waves are created by any object that spins, such as the rotating remnants of stellar corpses, orbiting black holes or even two people “doing a do-si-do,” Dr. Mingarelli said.

From New York Times

I caught a solid set of mountain climbers and a quick do-si-do.

From New York Times

There’s more to gossip about on “Gossip Girl” without the rigid do-si-do of a gender binary.

From New York Times

Characters on “Evil” are in a constant do-si-do of advance and retreat, encroachment and rapprochement, crossing the line and then scuttling backward and swearing to never commit that sin again.

From New York Times