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do

1 9.9
The syllable that names the first note of a major scale
  • noun
  • /doʊ/
  • Specialized
: do
  • In the scale of C major, the note do corresponds to the first tone.
  • movable do
  • fixed do
  • the syllable do

All right, first, we're going to start off with the vowels A do.

Examples

  • Singing numbers, in addition to fixed-do syllables, makes the analysis explicit.

    Academic text (2011)
  • One way a teacher introduces a do-to-do scale is to play do on top of a dominant seventh chord.

    Academic text (2011)
  • When a sharp is needed as a starting tone, it is still called do, but the voice produces C sharp.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Most elementary general music students have been singing with "movable do" and the Curwen hand signs since kindergarten.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The class sings the D-flat major do-to-do scale from seven to seven, and resolves to tonic by singing up a half step.

    Academic text (2011)
  • To start singing the scale, you begin with the do note, which sets the tone.

  • In solfège, the do syllable is essential as it represents the tonic of the scale.

Synonyms

doh
vsdo
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The first note of a major musical scale used to start singing

is the general modern syllable for the tonic rather than movable use
ut
vsdo
  • Archaic
9.9

A syllable that names the first note of a major scale, now often called do

is the modern syllable that replaced the older form

Idioms

Not involved with a person or thing

how do you do
  • Formal
101 6.1

A formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time that does not need an answer

to do the trick
  • Informal
87 3.7

To get the result you want

Be closely connected to something or happen because of it

37 5.1

Give someone help that does more harm than good

25 7.8

To have sex, often used in a polite way to mean to get married

do or die
  • Informal
19 6.7

A situation when you must succeed because failure is not allowed

16 7.5

A promise to stay married for the rest of both people's lives

Take any action needed to reach a goal, even when it is difficult

do not pass go
  • Informal
3 9.1

To refuse someone any further chance and make them leave immediately

To succeed by helping others and acting fairly

1 8.5

Work without full effort and leave tasks half finished

1 8.1

Not easy to find or get

1 3.2

Act responsibly because your role or job needs it

Follow how people behave where you are

1 3.5

Jump into water while pulling your knees to your chest to make a big splash

1 7.4

Saying this shows someone has the same habit or choice

Use tricks to hide the truth

People say it to boast about something they or someone else did

1 9.9

A question said to show someone is asking for too much

1 5.5

What someone does shows who they really are more than what they say

1 8.0

Not speaking to show your feelings or thoughts

1 7.6

Use what you have and fix things instead of buying new ones

to do it mañana
  • Informal
9.9

To wait until tomorrow to do something instead of doing it now

Trick someone so they end up worse off

To try very hard to do something

Serve a prison sentence without involving other people

To try as hard as possible

9.8

To ask someone if they agree or what they think

Compounds

to-do
  • Jargon
65 3.6

A note about a task to do later

Made or fixed by yourself instead of a professional

24 4.2

People who have plenty of money and live comfortably

16 4.2

Being positive and willing to try difficult tasks

11 7.5

Not willing or able to take action

10 4.8

A Korean martial art with fast high kicks and hand strikes

ne'er-do-well
  • Offensive
8 9.9

A person who is lazy, irresponsible, and does not try to succeed

do-si-do
  • Jargon
7 9.9

Two people walk around each other back to back then return to their places

A positive, confident way of dealing with tasks and problems

do-or-die
  • Informal
5 7.2

Willing to do anything to succeed when the situation is urgent

derring-do
  • Archaic
5 9.9

Brave acts that show courage and a love of adventure

how-do-you-do
  • Archaic
1 9.3

An awkward or difficult situation that causes trouble

do-nothing
  • Offensive
1 7.0

A person who avoids work and makes little effort

honey do list
  • Informal
1 8.6

A list of small jobs one partner asks the other to do at home

do-or-die moment
  • Informal
1 6.0

A time when someone must succeed or they will fail under great pressure

1 5.7

A temporary thing used instead of what you need

how-do-you-do
  • Formal
1 8.2

A polite, formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time

dog do
  • NSFW
1 8.0

Poop a dog leaves on the ground

fair do
  • UK
1 9.9

It is right to give someone credit for what they did

1 9.5

A party to say goodbye to someone leaving a job or group

A city near São Paulo in southeastern Brazil with many factories

doggy do
  • NSFW
8.8

Poop left by a dog on the ground that people must pick up

A way of acting that uses little effort

A habit of not trying hard and avoiding work

how-d'ye-do
  • Archaic
9.9

An awkward problem that causes a fuss

Surface Forms

do singular
dos plural

Etymology

Do for the musical note has a curious history; one popular story says it was named after a music teacher called Doni, so the first note became do. That's why singers learn the scale starting on 'do'.