noun
Derry
DEH-ree
noun
1
A feeling of dislike toward someone or something (chiefly in the phrase "have a derry on").
"She's had a derry on him ever since he borrowed her bike and never returned it."
interjection
1
A nonsense refrain sung as filler in old folk songs, with no literal meaning.
"The chorus went "hey down, derry down" between each verse."
How to Use Derry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a mild grudge against someone, or the nonsense "la-la" filler words in old folk-song choruses.
When to use it
The "dislike" sense is dated Australian/New Zealand slang; the song-refrain sense is a leftover from traditional English and Irish ballads.
Common pairings
have a derry on
Word Forms
Derrys plural
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She's had a _____ on him ever since he borrowed her bike and never returned it.