to act like a dodo
- idiom
- Offensive
:
comportarse como un idiota
- Don't act like a dodo—check your work before handing it in.
Examples
-
He always acts like a dodo when he's nervous.
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She realized she was acting like a dodo when she forgot her own phone number.
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If you keep acting like a dodo, you'll never finish the project on time.
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Don't act like a dodo during the meeting!
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Don't act like a dodo—double-check your answers before submitting them.
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If you continue to act like a dodo, you'll miss the important details of the assignment.
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She realized she was acting like a dodo when she forgot the simple instructions given to her.
Synonyms
3
8.0
To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention
1
9.4
Act in a foolish way and ignore good advice
1
9.9
To behave in a silly or clumsy way
1
9.9
To behave in a rude, stupid way
To behave in a foolish, clumsy way that makes people laugh
To behave in a foolish and clumsy way
Behave in a silly, clumsy way
Behave in a silly or foolish way
To do something silly without thinking
Behave in a silly, not very smart way
To behave foolishly or clumsily
Behave in a silly, clumsy way to make people laugh at you
To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish
Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk
To behave in a silly way without thinking when nervous or tired
Act in a foolish way because you trust people too easily
Act in a silly or stupid way
To behave rudely or foolishly in a way that annoys others
To behave in a stupid and rude way
To behave in a silly, rude way and break rules
To behave in a silly or wild way that makes people laugh
To ignore good advice and behave foolishly
To behave in a silly or annoying way
To behave in a rude and annoying way
How Foolish
- Offensive
- Informal
3
8.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'behave foolishly' is directly and compositionally derived from 'act' (to behave) + 'like' (similar to) + 'dodo' (a foolish/outdated person). Given knowledge of the constituent words, the simile structure makes the sense immediately predictable — animal-based insults/similes occur in many languages, supporting transparency.
Etymology
Act like a dodo may come from the old bird called the dodo, a heavy, clumsy bird that could not fly and often seemed slow and awkward. So, calling someone a dodo gave the image of a person doing something silly, and to act like a dodo means 'to behave in a foolish or clueless way'.