do-si-do

American  

[doh-see-doh] / ˈdoʊ siˈdoʊ /

noun

plural

do-si-dos

1. a figure in square-dancing, in which two persons advance, pass around each other back to back, and return to their places.

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verb (used with object)

do-si-doed, do-si-doing

1. to dance this figure around (one's partner).

verb (used without object)

do-si-doed, do-si-doing

1. to execute a do-si-do.

do-si-do British  

/ ˌdəʊsɪˈdəʊ /

noun

1. a square-dance figure in which dancers pass each other with right shoulders close or touching and circle back to back

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1. a call instructing dancers to perform such a figure

Etymology

Origin of do-si-do

see origin at dos-à-dos

Example Sentences

The textured wall covering wasn’t a hit, but after bit of a do-si-do, they hit on cushioning for packages.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Nick’s energized romantic do-si-do destabilizes the group, and gives them something new to gossip about and compare their own lives with as they wobble through the ensuing year.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2025

We square dancers had to cancel our whole season — you can’t very well social-distance while doing the allemande and do-si-do.

From Washington Post • May 7, 2020

I do-si-do with a man named Chris, who, as he spins me, says, “I need more resistance from you.”

From New York Times • Jan. 2, 2018

I murmur while Simon and Martin do-si-do in their tuxes.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli