English Explanatory Dictionary

darken someone's door

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To arrive at someone's residence or location, especially as an unexpected visitor.

Pronunciation

en-au-darken someone's door.ogg

Word forms

darken someone's door darkens someone's door darkening someone's door darkened someone's door darken someone's doorstep darken someone's doorway

Etymology

Probably from the observation that one's shadow falling upon a door whilst standing at it causes it to appear darkened. Alternatively, possibly derived from an old sense of darken meaning "to lie in wait, loiter, lurk".

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