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Dog idioms

46 phrases featuring the dog.

Dog warm-up quiz

Question 1 of 5 | Score 0

Which idiom means...

Something very messy or badly done.

DogIdiom

"Barking up the wrong tree"

To blame the wrong person or look in the wrong place.

DogIdiom

"Dog-eat-dog"

A situation where people compete fiercely and care mostly about winning.

DogIdiom

"Dog days of summer"

The hottest and most tiring days of summer.

DogIdiom

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

Do not bring up an old problem that could cause trouble again.

DogIdiom

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks"

It is hard to change old habits.

DogIdiom

"All bark and no bite"

Someone who sounds threatening but is not really dangerous.

DogIdiom

"Like a dog with two tails"

Very happy.

DogIdiom

"A dog in the manger"

Someone who stops others from using something they do not need.

DogIdiom

"Dog-tired"

Very tired.

DogIdiom

"Their bark is worse than their bite"

Someone seems scary but is not really dangerous.

DogIdiom

"Be in the doghouse"

To be in trouble with someone because of a mistake.

DogIdiom

"Better a live dog than a dead lion"

It is better to be safe and alive than proud and in danger.

DogIdiom

"Every dog has its day"

Everyone gets a chance to succeed one day.

DogIdiom

"Hair of the dog"

A small amount of the thing that caused a problem, used as a cure.

DogIdiom

"Gone to the dogs"

To become much worse than before.

DogIdiom

"Have itchy feet"

To feel a strong desire to travel or do something new.

DogIdiom

"Work like a dog"

To work very hard.

DogIdiom

"Top dog"

The most important or powerful person.

DogIdiom

"Turn tail"

To run away from danger or difficulty.

DogIdiom

"Dog-eat-dog"

A situation where people compete fiercely and care mostly about winning.

DogIdiom

"Dog days of summer"

The hottest and most tiring days of summer.

DogIdiom

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks"

It is hard to change old habits.

DogIdiom

"Every dog has its day"

Everyone gets a chance to succeed at some time.

DogIdiom

"Dog-tired"

Very tired.

DogIdiom

"Hair of the dog"

A small amount of the thing that caused a problem, used as a cure.

DogIdiom

"Every dog has its day"

Everyone gets a chance to succeed one day.

DogIdiom

"Have itchy feet"

To feel a strong desire to travel or do something new.

DogIdiom

"A dog's breakfast"

Something very messy or badly done.

DogIdiom

"Top dog"

The most important or powerful person.

DogIdiom

"Turn tail"

To run away from danger or difficulty.

DogIdiom

"Barking up the wrong tree"

To blame the wrong person or look in the wrong place.

DogIdiom

"Be in the doghouse"

To be in trouble with someone because of a mistake.

DogIdiom

"Work like a dog"

To work very hard.

DogIdiom

"Sick as a dog"

Very sick.

DogIdiom

"Gone to the dogs"

Become much worse than before.

DogIdiom

"A dog's age"

A very long time.

DogIdiom

"All bark and no bite"

Someone sounds threatening but is not really dangerous.

DogIdiom

"Dog and pony show"

A showy performance meant to impress people.

DogIdiom

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

Do not restart an old problem.

DogIdiom

"Put on the dog"

To dress or act in a very fancy way.

DogIdiom

"Call off the dogs"

To stop attacking or criticizing someone.

DogIdiom

"The tail wagging the dog"

A small part controls the whole situation.

DogIdiom

"Teach an old dog new tricks"

Help someone change old habits.

DogIdiom

"Every dog has his day"

Everyone gets a chance to succeed.

DogIdiom

"A lucky dog"

A very lucky person.

DogIdiom

"Dog in the fight"

A personal interest in an argument or contest.