dole out

/doʊl aʊt/

Other forms: doles out

To dole out is to distribute something in equal portions, the way a camp counselor might dole out marshmallows, making sure each camper gets two.

The phrase dole out implies a limited amount of whatever resource is being dispensed, or a slow rate of distribution. An entire season of your favorite TV show might be released on one day, while you have to wait on your second favorite, since they dole out one episode per week. Instead of putting a pan of brownies on the table after dinner, your dad may instead dole out one to each family member, saving the rest for tomorrow.

Definitions of dole out

1. verb

   administer or bestow, as in small portions
   “dole out some money”

   synonyms: administer, allot, deal, deal out, dish out, dispense, distribute, dole, lot, mete, mete out, parcel out, shell out

   types:

   allot, assign, portion

   give out

   reallot

   allot again

   deal

   distribute cards to the players in a game

   apply, give

   give or convey physically

   allow, appropriate, earmark, reserve, set aside

   give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

   allocate, apportion

   distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose

   misdeal

   deal cards wrongly

   tread

   apply (the tread) to a tire

   administer

   perform (a church sacrament) ritually

   type of:

   give

   transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody