on the dole

to be receiving unemployment benefit

TRANSLATION

dole = Arbeitslosengeld, Arbeitslosenunterstützung

STATISTICS

IN THE PRESS

National Union of Students president Owain James said: "It is incredible that in the 21st century students are being treated as second-class citizens - they would be better off on benefits."

But a spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "To suggest that students would be better off ON THE DOLE is irresponsible and untrue."

(BBC News - 20 February 2002)

Did you
know?

on the dole (British idiom)

- Receiving regular relief payments from the government.

Etymology: Middle English dol, part, share, from Old English dal.

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Synonyms for dole:

allocation, allotment, allowance, alms, apportionment, benefit, charity, dispensation, distribution, division, donation, gift, grant, gratuity, handout, quota, relief, share, subsistence

Note:
to dole out = to distribute

IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS TODAY
say something like:

"It is the hope of all of us in Germany that the new government will be able to reduce the number of people on the dole"

More Word Quizzes: