Dead ringer

Meaning

Someone or something nearly identical.

Usage

Used when resemblance is uncanny.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Late 19th century slang from horse racing when a substitute matched an original.

Popularized in U.S. sports journalism to describe lookalikes.