# dole out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dole-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To distribute in apportioned amounts.

## Examples

- The teacher will dole out the papers now.
- The charity workers dole out hot meals to people in the park every Sunday morning.
- The manager began to dole out the remaining bonuses to the staff, carefully ensuring that each employee received an amount proportional to their recent contributions.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.