🐾 20 Dog Idioms in English: Meanings & Examples
Dogs are more than just pets—they're deeply woven into the English language through idioms and expressions. From loyalty and laziness to exhaustion and exaggeration, dogs pop up in phrases that express all kinds of human experiences.
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| 20 Dog Idioms & Phrases in English |
This post explores 20 popular dog-related idioms, along with their meanings and examples. Understanding these expressions is key to sounding more natural and fluent in English. Ready to stop feeling like a dog chasing its tail when you hear these phrases? Let’s fetch the meanings of 20 of the most common and useful dog idioms! 🐾
📌 What Is a Dog Idiom?
A dog idiom is an expression that includes the word “dog” or is related to dogs, but its meaning isn’t literal. For example, saying "It's a dog-eat-dog world" doesn't mean dogs are literally eating each other—it means the world is very competitive.
🐾 Top 20 Dog Idioms: Meanings & Examples
1. Let sleeping dogs lie
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Meaning: Avoid bringing up an old problem or conflict that could cause trouble if disturbed.
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Example: I know you want to ask about the budget disagreement again, but maybe it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.
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Origin Insight: Comes from the idea that disturbing a sleeping dog could cause unnecessary trouble.
2. Barking up the wrong tree
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Meaning: To be pursuing a mistaken course of action; accusing or blaming the wrong person.
- Example: If you think I leaked the news, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
3. Every dog has its day
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Meaning: Everyone will have success or good luck at some point in their life.
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Example: Don't give up on your dream job yet. Remember, every dog has its day!
4. Dog days of summer
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Meaning: The hottest, laziest days of summer.
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Example: We spent the dog days of summer by the pool.
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Origin Insight: Traced back to the ancient Greeks, who associated the hot season with the rising of the star Sirius (also called the Dog Star).
5. Work like a dog
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Meaning: To work very hard, often for long hours.
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Example: I worked like a dog all week to finish that report before the deadline.
6. Go to the dogs
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Meaning: To become worse or decline in quality.
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Example: The cinema has really gone to the dogs since the new owners took over.
7. Hair of the dog (that bit you)
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Meaning: Drinking alcohol to cure a hangover (not recommended!).
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Example: He had a Bloody Mary in the morning as the hair of the dog that bit him.
❗ Note for learners: This idiom is mostly used in informal or humorous contexts.
8. Sick as a dog
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Meaning: Extremely ill or unwell.
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Example: I ate something bad last night and I've been sick as a dog all morning. I can't come into work.
9. It’s raining cats and dogs
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Meaning: It’s raining very heavily.
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Example: Take an umbrella! Look outside; it's raining cats and dogs!
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🟢 Tip: A very popular expression in both British and American English.
10. Dog-eat-dog world
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Meaning: A very competitive and ruthless environment.
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Example: The fashion industry can be very dog-eat-dog; you have to be tough to survive.
11. The tail wagging the dog
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Meaning: A small or unimportant part controlling the whole.
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Example: Letting a minor software bug delay the entire product launch feels like the tail wagging the dog.
12. Dog-tired
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Meaning: Completely exhausted, extremely tired.
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Example: After hiking all day, I came home dog-tired and went straight to bed.
13. In the doghouse
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Meaning: In trouble or disfavoured, often with someone close like a partner or family member.
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Example: John forgot their anniversary and is now in the doghouse with his wife.
14. Dog and pony show
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Meaning: A flashy but often superficial presentation.
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Example: The CEO’s visit was just a dog and pony show for the media.
15. Barking dogs seldom bite
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Meaning: People who make threats rarely follow through.
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Example: Don’t worry about him yelling—barking dogs seldom bite.
16. Like a dog with a bone
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Meaning: Being very persistent and not giving up.
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Example: She’s like a dog with a bone when she’s on a project.
17. Throw someone to the dogs
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Meaning: Sacrifice someone to avoid blame or danger yourself.
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Example: The manager threw his assistant to the dogs when the client complained.
18. Call off the dogs
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Meaning: Stop criticising or attacking someone.
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Example: Okay, I get it—I made a mistake. You can call off the dogs now.
19. Top dog
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Meaning: The most powerful or successful person.
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Example: He worked hard for years to become the top dog in the company.
20. Dog-eared
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Meaning: Worn or bent, especially used for books.
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Example: My favourite novel is so dog-eared from reading it again and again.
📊 Summary Table
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Let sleeping dogs lie | Avoid reopening past issues |
| Barking up the wrong tree | Blaming the wrong person |
| Every dog has its day | Everyone gets a chance |
| Dog days of summer | Hottest and laziest time |
| Work like a dog | Work very hard |
| Go to the dogs | Decline in quality |
| Hair of the dog | Alcohol to cure hangover |
| Sick as a dog | Very ill |
| Raining cats and dogs | Very heavy rain |
| Dog-eat-dog | Ruthless and competitive |
| Tail wagging the dog | Minor part controls the major |
| Dog-tired | Extremely tired |
| In the doghouse | In trouble |
| Dog and pony show | Flashy but empty show |
| Barking dogs seldom bite | Loud people rarely act |
| Like a dog with a bone | Very persistent |
| Throw to the dogs | Sacrifice someone for your benefit |
| Call off the dogs | Stop attacking or criticizing |
| Top dog | Most successful or powerful |
| Dog-eared | Worn out from frequent use |
🧠 Idioms in Action
Here’s how you might hear these idioms in conversation:
A: “Are you still mad about the meeting?”
B: “Nah, I’m letting sleeping dogs lie.”
A: “It’s a dog-eat-dog market these days.”
B: “Yeah, you have to work like a dog to survive!”
🗣 Practice Time
Exercise (1) Match the idioms to the situation:
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You're in trouble with your spouse ➡️
__________ -
You’re extremely tired ➡️
__________ -
You blame the wrong coworker ➡️
__________ -
You don’t want to revisit an old conflict ➡️
__________
Answers:
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In the doghouse
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Dog-tired
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Barking up the wrong tree
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Let sleeping dogs lie
Exercise (2) Match the idiom with its meaning:
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| (A) Let sleeping dogs lie | 1. Don’t revisit past conflicts |
| (B) Dog days of summer | 2. Extremely hot weather |
| (C) Go to the dogs | 3. Decline in condition or quality |
Answers: A-2, B-1, C-3
🐶 Final Bark (Conclusion)
Dog idioms are more than just expressions—they reflect human experiences, humour, and even history. From "barking up the wrong tree" to "work like a dog", these idioms can bring your English to life.
What's your favourite dog idiom? Did we miss any? Bark up in the comments below! Woof... I mean, let us know! Share the love (and the idioms)! Know another learner who'd enjoy this? Share this post!
