PhrasesHub

On the dole

    Definitions

      • receiving government benefits
        Describing someone who is unemployed and receiving financial aid from the government

      • being dependent on others for support
        Referring to someone who relies on others for financial support or assistance

    Examples of On the dole

    • Tom has been on the dole for six months now.

      In this example, "being on the dole" is the present tense of the idiom. It means that Tom is currently receiving unemployment benefits from the government. Here, "dole" refers to the stipend given by the government to people who are out of work and unable to support themselves financially.

    • After losing his job, John initially found it hard to cope, but he refused to be on the dole.

      In this example, "being on the dole" is used in the passive voice to indicate that John did not want to receive any sort of financial assistance from the government while he was jobless. It means that he preferred to struggle and survive on his own rather than accepting financial help from others.

    • I know that life on the dole is not easy, but I'm trying to make the most of it.

      In this example, "life on the dole" is used as a phrase to describe the lifestyle of people who are receiving unemployment benefits. It implies that being jobless and relying on state support is an arduous and challenging existence, and the speaker is acknowledging the difficulties of living off welfare benefits. However, the person is attempting to remain optimistic and make the best of a difficult situation.

    • After losing her job, Sally found herself on the dole for the first time in her life. She felt embarrassed and unproductive, as she was used to being financially independent.

      In British English, "on the dole" is a phrase used to describe someone who is receiving unemployment benefits from the government. Sally's situation illustrates how being unemployed can lead to a loss of self-esteem and a sense of dependency on assistance from the state.

    • The town's high unemployment rate meant that a large portion of the population was on the dole, leading to a decline in local businesses and community spirit.

      In this example, "on the dole" is used as a noun to describe a group of people, rather than as a verb (such as "is") or a prepositional phrase ("on unemployment benefits"). The context of the sentence also shows how high levels of unemployment can have community-wide impacts beyond just individual hardships.

    • Some politicians have criticized the government's welfare programs, stating that too many people have become dependent on being on the dole and are not actively seeking employment.

      Here, "on the dole" is used as part of a larger idea about welfare and unemployment, with the phrase suggesting a culture of dependency and passivity among recipients. The speaker's perspective questions whether these programs should be criticized for contributing to dependency, rather than providing a safety net to those in need.

    • A new program to help people find employment and get off the dole was announced by the government.

      In this example, "on the dole" is used in a more positive light, as the program aims to help people escape the situation it describes. Overall, "on the dole" is a phrase that highlights the stigma and social impacts of unemployment, both for individuals and for communities as a whole.

    • John has been on the dole for six months now. He lost his job and hasn't been able to find another one, so he's been relying on government benefits to make ends meet.

      "On the dole" is a British idiom that refers to someone who is receiving unemployment benefits from the government. In this example, John has been out of work for six months and is currently receiving unemployment benefits from the government.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "on the dole" is commonly used to refer to someone who is unemployed and receiving financial aid from the government. It can also be used to describe someone who is dependent on others for financial support or assistance.

    Origin of "On the dole"

    The origin of the idiom "on the dole" can be traced back to the early 20th century, where it was used in British English to refer to the act of receiving government benefits or relief. The term "dole" originally referred to a portion or share of money or goods distributed to those in need, and it eventually came to be associated with government assistance for the unemployed. Over time, the idiom "on the dole" has become widely used in both British and American English to describe someone who is receiving financial aid from the government or is dependent on others for support. Examples of its usage can be found in literature, newspapers, and everyday conversations.