- get the dope on
- Dope Dope (d[=o]p), n. [D. doop a dipping, fr. doopen to dip.
Cf. {Dip}.]
1. Any thick liquid or pasty preparation, as of opium for
medicinal purposes, of grease for a lubricant, etc.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. Any preparation, as of opium, used to stupefy or, in the case of a race horse, to stimulate. [Slang or Cant] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
3. An absorbent material; esp., in high explosives, the sawdust, infusorial earth, mica, etc., mixed with nitroglycerin to make a damp powder (dynamite, etc.) less dangerous to transport, and ordinarily explosive only by suitable fulminating caps. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
4. Information concerning the previous performances of race horses, or other facts concerning them which may be of assistance in judging of their chances of winning future races; similar information concerning other sports; by extension, any information not generally known, especially when coming from an inside source; as, the inside dope. [Sporting Slang] [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
5. an ignorant or stupid person. [Colloq.] [PJC]
{get the dope on} learn the true story; get the inside information.
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.