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verb (used without object)
1.
to make a clear musical sound, a series of such sounds, or a high-pitched, warbling sound by the forcible expulsion of the breath through a small opening formed by contracting the lips, or through the teeth, with the aid of the tongue.
2.
to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device.
3.
to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do.
4.
(of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like: This teakettle whistles when it boils.
5.
to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind.
verb (used with object)
6.
to produce by whistling: to whistle a tune.
7.
to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling: He whistled his dog over.
8.
to send with a whistling or whizzing sound.
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Whistle in the dark
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
noun
Verb phrase9.
an instrument for producing whistling sounds by means of the breath, steam, etc., as a small wooden or tin tube, a pipe, or a similar device with an air chamber containing a small ball that oscillates when air is forced through an opening, producing a high-pitched, warbling tone.
10.
a sound produced by whistling: a prolonged whistle of astonishment.
11.
a simple fipple flute.
12.
Idiomswhistle for, to demand or expect without success: After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money.
13.
blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing: The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle.
14.
blow the whistle on,
a.
to bring a stop to; halt: Congress has blown the whistle on all unnecessary expenditures for the program.
b.
to expose (wrongdoing or wrongdoers): to blow the whistle on corruption in high places.
15.
wet one's whistle, Informal. to take a drink.
16.
whistle in the dark, to attempt to summon up one's courage or optimism in a difficult situation: He says his business will improve next year, but he's probably just whistling in the dark.
Origin:
before 950; (v.) Middle English whistlen, Old English hwistlian; akin to Old Norse hvīsla to whistle, hviskra to whisper; see whine; (noun) Middle English; Old English hwistle instrument, akin to the v.
before 950; (v.) Middle English whistlen, Old English hwistlian; akin to Old Norse hvīsla to whistle, hviskra to whisper; see whine; (noun) Middle English; Old English hwistle instrument, akin to the v.
Related forms
whis·tle·a·ble, adjective
in·ter·whis·tle, verb (used with object), in·ter·whis·tled, in·ter·whis·tling.
un·whis·tled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To whistle in the dark
Slang Dictionary
whistle in the dark definition
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Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
whistle in the dark
Summon up courage in a frightening situation, make a show of bravery. For example, They knew they were lost and were just whistling in the dark. This expression alludes to a literal attempt to keep up one's courage. [First half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
