don't ask, don't tell

phrase

A policy of the U.S. military from 1993 to 2011, which barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving in the military, while also barring discrimination against closeted gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.

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Meanings

phrase

alternative don't ask, don't tell, don't harass, don't pursue · alternative initialism DADT

  1. USA policy of the U.S. military from 1993 to 2011, which barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving in the military, while also barring discrimination against closeted gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.
  2. broadlyhumorousoftenApplied to various other policies that prohibit a behavior but also discourage investigation of it.
Cite this entry
APA

don't ask, don't tell. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/don't%20ask%2C%20don't%20tell

MLA

“don't ask, don't tell.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/don't%20ask%2C%20don't%20tell. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “don't ask, don't tell,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/don't%20ask%2C%20don't%20tell.

Source: don't ask, don't tell on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.