Dogs are known as our loyal companions, so it’s no surprise that they’ve made their way into everyday language. In English, the word dog appears in many idioms and expressions, often used to reflect human experiences, emotions, and advice. In this blog, we’ve gathered 9 useful dog idioms and expressions that you can easily incorporate into your daily conversations!
If you want to see these idioms in action, check out this fun Reel on Instagram!
1. Every Dog Has Its Day
This English dog idiom offers encouragement and hope. It means that everyone, no matter their circumstances, will have their moment of success or good fortune, even when things seem tough. It’s a great reminder that perseverance pays off and that luck or opportunities eventually come to those who wait.
Example: “Even though he had been losing in his business for months, John knew that every dog has its day.”
When to use: Comforting someone facing challenges, reminding them that better days are ahead.
2. It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
A funny and somewhat confusing English expression, “it’s raining cats and dogs” means that it’s raining very heavily. No actual animals are involved, but the idiom paints a vivid picture of a downpour! Can you imagine?
Example: “We had to cancel our picnic because it was raining cats and dogs all afternoon.”
When to use: Use this phrase with humor when caught in a heavy storm.
3. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
This idiom advises against revisiting past problems or stirring up old conflicts. Sometimes, it’s better to leave things as they are rather than bringing up issues that could cause trouble.
Example: “I know you’re upset about the argument, but it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie and move on.”
When to use: When you’re advocating for peace or trying to avoid unnecessary drama.
4. Sick as a Dog
When someone feels very ill, especially with something like the flu or food poisoning, this dog idiom is a dramatic way to express it. “Sick as a dog” conjures the image of someone truly unwell.
Example: “After eating some bad seafood, I was as sick as a dog for two days.”
When to use: Perfect for describing how awful you feel when you’re really sick.
5. Dog-Tired
If you’ve ever worked so hard that you just want to collapse into bed, you’ve probably been dog-tired. This phrase expresses extreme exhaustion after a busy or challenging day.
Example: “After working 12 hours straight, I was dog-tired and went straight to bed.”
When to use: Emphasize how worn out you feel after a long day or hard work.
6. Dog-Eat-Dog World
This dog idiom paints a picture of a competitive world where only the toughest survive. A “dog-eat-dog world” describes fierce competition, especially in business or sports.
Example: “The corporate world is a dog-eat-dog world, where only the strongest survive.”
When to use: To describe situations that are cutthroat or highly competitive.
7. Dog in the Manger
This rare idiom describes someone who won’t let others enjoy something they don’t want or need themselves. It originates from a fable where a dog guards hay that it can’t eat, preventing cows from eating it.
Example: “She doesn’t even like the car, but won’t let anyone else drive it. She’s being a real dog in the manger.”
When to use: Describing possessive or selfish behavior that doesn’t benefit anyone.
8. You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
This common English idiom highlights how difficult it is to change someone’s habits, especially when they’ve been doing something a certain way for a long time. It suggests that people, particularly older individuals, are resistant to change.
Example: “He’s been using that old phone for years, and no matter how much I try, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
When to use: Referring to someone who’s set in their ways and reluctant to learn new things.
9. Work Like a Dog
When someone works extremely hard, they’re said to work like a dog. It’s used to describe people putting in maximum effort, often for long hours or without much rest.
Example: “I’ve been working like a dog to finish this project before the deadline.”
When to use: To emphasize how hard you or someone else is working, whether it’s on a job, a project, or household tasks.
As we’ve seen, English is packed with dog idioms and expressions, each with its own unique meaning and usage. By learning these phrases, you can bring more color and depth to your everyday conversations, making your language more vivid and expressive.
Want to learn even more practical and interesting English idioms? Watching movies and TV shows is a great way to hear how native speakers really talk. Even RM from BTS famously learned English by watching the American sitcom Friends! You can also explore FluenDay’s Clips section, which offers interactive exercises to help you learn in a fun and engaging way.
Keep practicing, and remember—every dog has its day! Today might just be the day you master a new phrase!
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