dole out

Thân thiện

The teacher will dole out the art supplies to the students.

Definition

Verb: 1. To distribute or give out, especially in small portions or shares: This is the primary meaning, focusing on the act of administering something, often in limited amounts or to multiple recipients. 2. To administer or bestow: This sense emphasizes the action of giving, often with a connotation of formality or control over the distribution.

Usage

The verb "dole out" is typically used with a direct object (the thing being distributed) and often an indirect object (the recipients). It can imply a careful, measured, or sometimes grudging distribution. It is commonly used in contexts involving aid, money, criticism, or punishments.

Examples

• The charity doles out food to the homeless every evening.
• The teacher doled out advice to each student individually.
• He is reluctant to dole out praise to his employees.
• The government agency will dole out the emergency funds next week.

Advanced Usage

• "to dole out something to someone": This is the standard construction.
  • The manager doled out the assignments to the team.
• Used figuratively for non-physical things:
  • The critic doled out harsh reviews to several films.
  • She doled out her trust very sparingly.

Variants and Related Words

• Dispense (verb): To distribute or provide (a service or product). Often used in similar contexts but can sound more neutral or mechanical (e.g., ).
• Allocate (verb): To distribute for a particular purpose. More formal and planning-oriented.
• Met out (verb, phrasal): To distribute or administer justice, punishment, or something similar. Often used for negative consequences (e.g., ).
• Shell out (verb, phrasal): To pay out money, often reluctantly. More informal (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Distribute
• Allot
• Dispense
• Administer
• Deal out
• Hand out

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Dole out does not have common phrasal verb variations itself. It is already a phrasal verb. See "shell out" and "mete out" under Variants for related phrasal verbs with similar meanings.

Related Idioms

• Dole out: While it is a phrasal verb, it can function idiomatically to imply a controlled, sometimes miserly, distribution.
  • He doles out his time as if it were gold. (This implies he gives his time very sparingly and carefully.)

Học thuật

Verb

1. administer or bestow, as in small portions
   • administer critical remarks to everyone present
   • dole out some money
   • shell out pocket money for the children
   • deal a blow to someone
   • the machine dispenses soft drinks