doo-doo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, Colloquial, Juvenile, Euphemistic
Quick answer
What does “doo-doo” mean?
(childish) Excrement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(childish) Excrement; feces.
Something worthless, problematic, or messy. Also, a euphemism for trouble ('to be in deep doo-doo').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term, though it is arguably more common in American English. The metaphorical phrase 'in deep doo-doo' is widely understood in both.
Connotations
Juvenile, slightly humorous, intentionally euphemistic. Not considered vulgar but very informal.
Frequency
More frequent in American media (children's TV, cartoons, comedy). In British English, 'poo' is a more common childish equivalent.
Grammar
How to Use “doo-doo” in a Sentence
to be in (deep) doo-dooVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “doo-doo” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- The puppy doo-dooed on the new carpet.
adjective
British English
- The situation was a bit doo-doo.
American English
- He made a real doo-doo face when he smelled it.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate; only used jokingly in extremely relaxed, informal contexts to mean 'in trouble'.
Academic
Never used.
Everyday
Common in informal family contexts with children, or humorously among adults.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “doo-doo”
- Spelling as 'doodoo' or 'doo doo' without the hyphen is common and generally acceptable. Using it in formal writing is a stylistic error.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered a childish euphemism and is not vulgar. However, it is very informal.
'Poo' (common in BrE) and 'doo-doo' (common in AmE) are functionally identical childish terms. 'Doo-doo' has a stronger established metaphorical use ('in deep doo-doo').
Yes, informally (e.g., 'The dog doo-dooed on the lawn'), but this usage is less common than the noun form.
It's a humorous, euphemistic alteration of the vulgar phrase 'in deep shit', popularized in late 20th-century American English.
(childish) Excrement.
Doo-doo is usually informal, colloquial, juvenile, euphemistic in register.
Doo-doo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈduː duː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈduː duː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in deep doo-doo (in serious trouble)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The double 'doo' sounds like a silly, childish repetition, perfect for a euphemistic word for something unpleasant.
Conceptual Metaphor
TROUBLE IS FILTH / A MESS IS EXCREMENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'doo-doo' be LEAST appropriate?