dibs

Everyday

1. (slang) A claim to have or do something first: if you say «Dibs on the front seat!», you mean you get it. tree →
2. (slang, UK, old) Money. tree →

In the lessons

In children's everyday life, «dibs» is said to claim a seat, the last biscuit or the first go; it works like «bagsy» in the UK and «shotgun» for the front car seat. In stories it shows children's playful arguing. Phrases: «dibs on», «I call dibs», «have dibs on».

Examples

• Dibs on the window seat! tree →
• I called dibs on the last slice of pizza. tree →
• You can't have it, Ellie already has dibs. tree →
• Dibs on going first! tree →
• Who's got dibs on the top bunk? tree →
• He shouted «dibs!» before anyone else could. tree →

Note

Slang, mostly US, Canada, Australia; in the UK children often say «bagsy» instead. Always plural in form: «dibs», not «a dib». It is a game rule, not a real right, so it can cause arguments. Not used in formal writing.