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Be a dead ringer for somebody

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Idiomatic ExpressionPlay
Used in casual speech and writing when emphasizing a strong resemblance, not suited for formal contexts. SlideYou won't believe it, but Jake is a dead ringer for Elvis Presley in his college photo.
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Not LiteralPlay
It's a figurative term; 'dead' and 'ringer' don't refer to 'deceased' or 'calling.' SlideStage actors often have to be a dead ringer for historical figures.
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Visual SimilarityPlay
Focuses on physical appearance, not personality or other attributes. SlideAt the party, I met someone who was a dead ringer for my cousin. It was uncanny!