dole

Everyday

1. (informal, UK/Ireland/Australia/NZ) Money that the government pays to people who have no job: «on the dole». tree →
2. (verb, «dole out») To give out small amounts of something, such as food, money or jobs, to several people. tree →
3. (old) A share of food or money given to the poor. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday British, Irish and Australian talk «on the dole» means out of work and living on government money; the formal name is «unemployment benefit» or «Jobseeker's Allowance». In stories and at home, a parent «doles out» sweets or chores. Phrases: «on the dole», «go on the dole», «dole queue», «dole out».

Examples

• (UK) After the factory closed, he was on the dole for a year. tree →
• Mum doled out the chocolates, two each. tree →
• The teacher doled out the worksheets. tree →
• (Ireland) She signed on the dole while looking for work. tree →
• The dinner lady doled out the mashed potato. tree →
• (Australia) He's been on the dole since leaving school. tree →

Note

Informal in the money sense; formal: «unemployment benefit». «Dole out» is the common verb form; past «doled out». Do not confuse with «doll» (a toy). In maths, doling out equally is sharing (division): 24 sweets doled out to 6 children is 4 each.