a woman. While the term originally reflected on the woman involved (an implication of common status), it now reflects more on the speaker, suggesting a tough or old-fashioned viewpoint UK, 1720.
2
in a deck of playing cards, a queen US, 1996
(redirected from dame)
Dame Partington and her mop
Someone staunchly opposed to progress or reform, even when it is inevitable. The phrase is thought to have originated from stories in 19th-century England of a woman who kept trying to get water out of her flooded home during a storm before finally evacuating. I can't believe you're still fighting against that new tax! Stop being like Dame Partington and her mop and just accept change!