Idioms containing DOG
TOP words in categories
DOG DAYS (OF SUMMER)
very hot days
1. Summer in the southern United States is uncomfortably hot and humid. In July and August, we suffer through the dog days.
2. I can’t stand the dog days of summer. Next year I’m going to buy an air conditioner!
2. I can’t stand the dog days of summer. Next year I’m going to buy an air conditioner!
DOG-EARED
well-worn
1. The pages of this library book are really dog-eared. A lot of people must have borrowed it and read it.
2. I’ve put the report in a plastic folder so the pages don’t get dog-eared.
2. I’ve put the report in a plastic folder so the pages don’t get dog-eared.
DOG-EAT-DOG
ruthless, competitive, and fast-paced
1. Ed decided to quit his job in business because everyone seemed so dishonest, trying to get his job and steal his clients. It was a dog-eat-dog world.
2. John moved away from New York City to a small town in the Midwest because life in the big city was dog- eat-dog.
2. John moved away from New York City to a small town in the Midwest because life in the big city was dog- eat-dog.
EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY
everyone will have a moment of success
1. Though he's struggling now, John believes that every dog has its day and his time to shine will come.
2. Don't worry, every dog has its day, and your hard work will eventually pay off in your career.
2. Don't worry, every dog has its day, and your hard work will eventually pay off in your career.
GO TO THE DOGS
to fall into disrepair; to deteriorate
1. This restaurant used to be so fashionable and classy, but it has gone to the dogs since it changed management.
2. This neighborhood is going to the dogs —the homeowners aren’t keeping their houses or their yards in good repair. It’s a shame.
2. This neighborhood is going to the dogs —the homeowners aren’t keeping their houses or their yards in good repair. It’s a shame.
LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
to not look for trouble or stir up a troublesome situation
1. The situation seems to have resolved itself, and I’m not going to bring it up again. I’m going to let sleeping dogs lie
2. The politician resigned his office before his colleagues could bring charges of misconduct against him. After that, they let sleeping dogs lie and didn’t pursue the matter.
2. The politician resigned his office before his colleagues could bring charges of misconduct against him. After that, they let sleeping dogs lie and didn’t pursue the matter.
LUCKY DOG/STIFF
a lucky person
1. They got to the airport late and, because there were no more economy seats left, they got to sit in first class for no extra charge. They sure were lucky dogs.
2. Carl has relatives who own a car dealership, so he always gets a good deal when he buys a new car. He’s a lucky stiff.
2. Carl has relatives who own a car dealership, so he always gets a good deal when he buys a new car. He’s a lucky stiff.
RAINING CATS AND DOGS
to rain very heavily
1. The children should take their raincoats, umbrellas, and boots—it’s raining cats and dogs.
2. I’ve never seen such rain! Look how fast it’s coming down. It’s raining cats and dogs.
2. I’ve never seen such rain! Look how fast it’s coming down. It’s raining cats and dogs.
SHAGGY DOG STORY
long joke with an anticlimactic ending (1); narrative with excessive irrelevant details (2)
1. He told a shaggy dog story that left everyone puzzled.
2. The novel felt like a shaggy dog story with its endless subplots.
2. The novel felt like a shaggy dog story with its endless subplots.
TOP DOG
the leader or most powerful person in a group
1. Every team needs a top dog to lead them.
2. Now I'm the top dog on campus.
2. Now I'm the top dog on campus.
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