{"id":12762,"date":"2022-12-26T01:50:24","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T08:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dog idioms that will make you writing a howling success. Let's introduce you to some other expressions featuring the animal that makes up half that idiom - the dog.<\/p>\n<!-- \/w"},"modified":"2022-12-26T01:52:13","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T08:52:13","slug":"dog-idioms-and-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/dog-idioms-and-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Idioms and Phrases in the English Language"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"words-head\" id=\"words-8829251\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5017566440575750\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5017566440575750\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3340569236\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog idioms that will make you writing a howling success. Let&#8217;s introduce you to some other expressions featuring the animal that makes up half that idiom &#8211; the dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some well-known dog expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Dog Idioms and Phrases<\/mark><br><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">(The) Tail That Wags the Dog<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A small part of something that controls the whole thing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Past TV deals have seen the tail wagging the dog. Now football clubs feel they are equal partners with TV.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">A Barking Dog Never Bites<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A way of saying that a person who makes constant threats will rarely carry them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Pay no heed to his protestations &#8211; he&#8217;s a barking dog that never bites.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">A Dog&#8217;s Breakfast<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A mess<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I thought I could trust Jim to finish the business proposal, but he made a dog&#8217;s breakfast of the whole thing.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">A Glory Hound<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> Someone is looking for glory, fortune, and fame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> He never fails to invite the press to one of his functions\u2014he&#8217;s a glory hound.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">A Shaggy Dog Story<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A long-winded anecdote that has a silly or anticlimactic ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> The old man was known for telling shaggy dog stories that made people groan and scratch their heads when he reached the ending.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">As Mean as a Junkyard Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> An idiom that suggests a person is very mean. It can also describe someone as cruel or eager to fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> They say that he is meaner than a junkyard dog, but he is quite sweet when you get to know him.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">As Sick as a Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>slang Very ill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>Haley called out sick today, and she really sounded sick as a dog.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Barking Up the Wrong Tree<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> Taking a wrong direction in an activity; from the idea of a hunting dog being mistaken over which tree a hunted animal has climbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I thought that I had an easy solution, but it didn&#8217;t work out that way. I guess I was barking up the wrong tree.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Be Like a Dog With a Bone<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> That a person is fixating on a topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I was late once, and my boss is like a dog with a bone, bringing it up every chance she gets.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Be Like a Dog With Two Tails<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To be very happy and excited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Mary&#8217;s been like a dog with two tails ever since she got her promotion.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Better the Head of a Dog Than the Tail of a Lion<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> It is better to be a small or low ranking group leader than be a subordinate in a higher or more prestigious group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> The phrase better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion advises people to take the opportunity to be leaders.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Bite the Hand That Feeds You<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> An ungrateful person who turned against you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> You might not agree with your parents&#8217; rules, but be careful about biting the hand that feeds you, because you owe everything you have to them.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Bought a Pup<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> slang To buy something that ultimately proves to be worth nothing or less than promised. Primarily heard in UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I&#8217;m sorry, but that&#8217;s definitely not an authentic Louis Vuitton bag. You&#8217;ve bought a pup, my friend.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Call Your Dogs Off<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To say that someone should tell their friends or associates to &#8220;back off&#8221; or stop picking on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Call the dogs off! I&#8217;ll tell you anything you want to know, just stop threatening me!<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Clean as a Hound&#8217;s Tooth<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To describe something spotlessly clean. It can also describe a person who is of high repute and honesty.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Done Up Like a Dog&#8217;s Dinner<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>Of a person&#8217;s attire, very showy in a way that attracts negative attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Look at that fool, all done up like a dog&#8217;s dinner. Who told him that patterned suit was a good idea?<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dog in the Manger<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A person who prevents others from using something, even though the person himself or herself does not want it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Jonny is being a dog in the manger \u2013 he won\u2019t let the other kids play with his ball, even though he never uses it.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dog-and-Pony Show<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>A flashy presentation, often in a marketing context<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> The salesman gave us a real dog-and-pony show, but I\u2019m still not sure what the product will cost.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dogsbody<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> Someone who does all the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> If you need anything at all, just let me know, and I&#8217;ll have my dogsbody get it.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dog Days<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> (Physical Geography) the hot period of the summer reckoned in ancient times from the heliacal rising of Sirius (the Dog Star)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Dog Star days is called because the Dog Star (Sirius) rises and sets with the sun during this time.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dog Does Not Eat Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> proverb Nefarious people will not harm those who act like them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Naturally, that jerk preys on kind people and leaves people like himself alone. Dog does not eat dog, I guess.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dog-Eared<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>To say that something is a bit worn or well used. Often said when referring to an old book cover or magazine that has seen well thumbed through and has seen better days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> The book is a first edition copy and could be worth a lot of money. The only issue is that it&#8217;s a well-read copy, and the dust-jacket is worn and a little dog-eared.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dogs of War<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> The chaos that accompanies war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> If we can&#8217;t find enough willing soldiers, we&#8217;ll have to turn to the dogs of war.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dog-Eat-Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> Intensely competitive<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>The world of the inter-war period was a dog-eat-dog affair.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Dog in the Nighttime<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To describe someone who unwittingly connives to involve themselves in a crime.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Double Dog Dare<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>A phrase used to say: &#8220;I absolutely dare you.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>An intensified form of a dare, frequently used after the dared person initially refuses.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Read More:<\/mark><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/idioms?category=idioms-about-animals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Idioms About Animals<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Every Dog Has His (Its) Day<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>Everyone has a moment of fame, power, or influence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Yug has had a run doff bad luck. But every dog has his day, and today he was singled out for praise by the president.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Every Man and His Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>Many people<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>I&#8217;m so jealous, everybody and his dog is going on a vacation this summer except for me.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Fight Like Cat and Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>Continually arguing with each other<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>Those two fight like cat and dog, so please don\u2019t put them together on the project.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Give a Dog a Bad Name<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>It is very difficult to lose or change a bad reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> A: &#8220;Ever since I failed my exam, my teacher sees me as a slacker, no matter what I do.&#8221; B: &#8220;Well, give a dog a bad name, right?&#8221;<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Go See a Man About a Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> Go to the bathroom (said as a euphemism)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I\u2019ll be right back-I\u2019ve got to go see a man about a dog.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Go to the Dogs<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To become disordered, to decay<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> This has always been a nice hotel, but it\u2019s going to the dogs.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Have a Dog in the Hunt (Fight, Race)<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To support a certain person in a competition<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I\u2019ll be happy working under either Carl or Sheila-I don\u2019t have a dog in that hunt.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Hell Hound<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A devilish person; a fiend.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Hot Doggin&#8217;<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To grandstand in front of an audience, show off and revel in front of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> He&#8217;s a proper show-off, always hot-doggin&#8217; about on that blasted motorbike in front of his friends.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">If You Want a Friend in Washington, Get a Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> friends are few and far between\u2014if it&#8217;s a friend you need here, then you had better acquire a dog.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">In a Dog&#8217;s Age<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>A long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I haven&#8217;t had so much fun for a very long time\u2014it feels like it&#8217;s been a dog&#8217;s age since we last laughed so much.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">In the Dog House<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To say that you are in trouble or not in favor. Reminiscent of a naughty dog instructed to go to the kennel as punishment for a misdemeanor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I&#8217;m in the dog house again! I should never have forgotten our anniversary.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Lazy as a Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To express the view that someone is very lazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I wish you would motivate yourself a bit more. Stop being so idle. I swear that you&#8217;re as lazy as a dog.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Let the Dog See the Rabbit<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To say that you should let a person get on with their task as they have the skills and attributes needed to achieve it.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Let Sleeping Dogs Lie<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To avoid stirring up a problem; to leave things alone<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Oh, don&#8217;t mention that fight they had months ago\u2014let sleeping dogs lie!<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Love Me, Love My Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> proverb If you are going to love someone, you must accept everything about them, even those aspects, qualities, or faults that you might otherwise dislike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> It&#8217;s good that you want to move in me, but please remember, I&#8217;m far from perfect, and you will need to be able to love me, love my dog.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Puppies and Rainbows<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> Perfect, ideal (usually used slightly sarcastically, in contrast with a less ideal situation)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>I try to be strict with my daughter, but when she looks at me with those puppy dog eyes, I buy her candy.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Puppy Dog Eyes<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>At first my marriage was all puppies and rainbows, but then reality set in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I try to be strict with my daughter, but when she looks at me with those puppy dog eyes, I buy her candy.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Puppy Love<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>This expression describes an infatuation or young adolescent love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>You will have to forgive her; she&#8217;s young and infatuated with her first boyfriend. I think it&#8217;s a case of puppy love.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">My Dogs Are Barking<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> My feet hurt<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> My dogs are really barking after all that dancing!<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Rain Cats and Dogs<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>Rain very heavily<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> We were so disappointed that it rained cats and dogs for our whole vacation in Hawaii.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Run With the Big Dogs<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>To say that you are capable of running alongside the top performers. You are at the top of your game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Joey stepped up his game this year. He is now up there running with the big dogs.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Rock Hound<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A geologist, studying the Earth&#8217;s origin, structure, and composition, is commonly known as a &#8220;rock hound.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> He may only be young, but he&#8217;s becoming a real rock hound. He&#8217;s out collecting rock samples every chance he gets.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Sad as a Hound Dog&#8217;s Eye<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> Something unfortunate and sad.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Slept Like a Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To say a person slept soundly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I had a wonderfully restful night &#8211; I slept like a dog.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Tail Wagging the Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> The smallest or least important part of something in control of the larger or more important elements; a reversal of typical roles or dynamics of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> They reorganized their entire weekly schedule just because their son likes to sleep in late. Talk about the tail wagging the dog.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Teach an Old Dog New Tricks<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>To change someone\u2019s long-established habits. Usually used in the negative: You can\u2019t teach an old dog new tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> We tried to explain social media to our grandfather, but it\u2019s no use-you can\u2019t teach an old dog new tricks.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">That Dog Won&#8217;t Hunt<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> That won&#8217;t work; forget it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> I know you think that we can cross that swollen river by wading across\u2014but it&#8217;s a strong current, and I can&#8217;t swim. That dog won&#8217;t hunt; I&#8217;m afraid we need another plan.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Three Dog Night<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>To say that it is so cold that we need an extra dog for cuddling and warmth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example: <\/strong>Temperatures fell well below freezing, a true three-dog night.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Throw to the Dogs<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>To put one in the position to be the recipient of blame, trouble, or criticism, often that which was intended for oneself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Our manager never hesitates to throw an underling to the dogs when something goes wrong in the office.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">To Lead a Dog&#8217;s Life<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> A person has had or is having a very miserable time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Danny has had a dog&#8217;s life\u2014his family gives him no respect, and they constantly take him for granted.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">To See a Man About a Dog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> To say that you do not want to reveal to someone where you are going is often used to excuse yourself to go to the bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> It&#8217;s none of your business where I am going. Let&#8217;s say that I am going to see a man about a dog and leave it at that, shall we.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Underdog<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meaning:<\/strong> One that is expected to lose a contest or struggle, as in sports or politics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> Most of the crowd were cheering for the underdog to win.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/d3c1yyje0uguxm.cloudfront.net\/2022\/12\/Dog-Idioms-and-Phrases-in-the-English-Language-wordscoach.com_-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Dog Idioms and Phrases in the English Language - wordscoach.com\" class=\"wp-image-12767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Dog-Idioms-and-Phrases-in-the-English-Language-wordscoach.com_-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Dog-Idioms-and-Phrases-in-the-English-Language-wordscoach.com_-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Dog-Idioms-and-Phrases-in-the-English-Language-wordscoach.com_-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Dog-Idioms-and-Phrases-in-the-English-Language-wordscoach.com_-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Dog-Idioms-and-Phrases-in-the-English-Language-wordscoach.com_-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Dog-Idioms-and-Phrases-in-the-English-Language-wordscoach.com_.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dog Idioms and Phrases in the English Language<\/p>\n<p>Dog idioms that will make you writing a howling success. Let&#8217;s introduce you to some other expressions featuring the animal that makes up half that idiom &#8211; the dog.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some well-known dog expressions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,26],"tags":[8644,8640,8641,8643,8642,82,5697,958],"class_list":["post-12762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-idioms","category-english","tag-dog-bark-idiom","tag-dog-idioms-and-phrases","tag-dog-idioms-and-puns","tag-dog-idioms-and-their-meanings","tag-funny-dog-idioms","tag-idioms","tag-idioms-and-phrases","tag-idioms-in-english"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12762"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12762\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}