on the dole

on the dole — idiom

1. receiving government money because you are unemployed or very poor

1.idiomC1
Definition

receiving government money because you are unemployed or very poor

Example

After the factory closed, several workers were on the dole for months.

were on the dole

He felt embarrassed about being on the dole, but the payments helped him pay rent.

being on the dole

Common collocations
  • be on the dole
  • go on the dole
  • stay on the dole
  • families on the dole
  • workers on the dole
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be on the dole

go on the dole

people/families on the dole

Usage Note

This informal phrase is especially associated with British English. It refers to receiving unemployment or welfare payments, not to simply having a low income.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: 'He is in the dole.' Correct: 'He is on the dole.'

Do not use it for any kind of government payment. It usually suggests unemployment or poverty support.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

'On the dole' is informal and often British. It focuses on receiving government support because a person has no job or is very poor. 'Receive unemployment benefit' is more formal and neutral. 'Claim benefits' is broader, while 'be unemployed' only says that someone does not have a job.

on the dole ↗receive unemployment benefitclaim benefitsbe unemployed

Common collocations

Nouns

Verbs

Phrases

  • be on the dole
  • go on the dole
  • stay on the dole
  • people on the dole