to have dibs on

Question

HiI am not sure when and how to use this idiom.I am sick of everyone's using my toothpaste.I will go and have dibs on it.Is it a proper usage?thanks

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

-----
dib

2 dibs plural, slang : money especially in small amounts

3 dibs plural : CLAIM, RESERVATION, RIGHTS -- used with on<I have dibs on that piece of cake>

----------

Also:
http://www.answers.com/topic/have-dibs-on

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

Marius,

would you use the expression in the way I did?

thx

Feebs11 · Answer

If you want to make your possession clear, it would be better to say "I will go and put my mark on it"; if you are just expressing possession, then "I have my dibs on it" works.

BarbaraPA · Answer

I usually hear it just as "Dibs on..." (and it's really only used by children, in my experience).

For example - the birthday cake has just come out - there is a lovely rose made of frosting. Anne calls out "Dibs on the piece with the rose!"

Or three kids need to ride in the back seat: "I call dibs on the window seat behind Mom!"

Something that is already yours doesn't require "dibs." It's only when it's "up for grabs" meaning that anyone could get it.

Marius Hancu · Answer

See more on usage:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dibs

GG is right, you'd normally call "Dibs on ... !" to claim it.

Anonymous · Answer

thanks

your comments are very useful to me.

Now I see clearly.

As I perceive, you can very easily misuse idioms, and then you see people looking at you with wrinkled brows:-S

to have dibs on

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions