dog
a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
: See also canid.
any carnivore of the dog family Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears.
the male of such an animal.
any of various animals resembling a canid.
Informal. a fellow: You've got a lovely family, you lucky dog.Security was patting down the concertgoers, but that sly dog snuck a camera in.
Slang. an ugly, despicable, boring, or crude person: I had high hopes for this date, but he turned out to be a dog.
Slang.
something worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.
Slang. hot dog.
Dog, Astronomy. either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
dogs, Slang. feet: I couldn't wait to get home and take off my shoes—my dogs were killing me.
Machinery.
any of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
a projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
a clamp binding together two timbers.
an iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
a firedog; andiron.
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
to follow or track like a dog, especially with hostile intent; hound: After the film, the actor was dogged by paparazzi.
to cause persistent problems or distress; haunt; plague: She was dogged by a sense of guilt over her part in the scandal.
to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
Machinery. to fasten with dogs: They put the helmet on his head and dogged it to the gasket with the turnbuckles.
Idioms about dog
call off the dogs, to pause or stop a relentless attack, pursuit, or campaign: There was so much lobbying that the president had to ask the group to call off the dogs.
dog it, Informal.
to shirk one's responsibility; loaf on the job: He was a ball hog who couldn't run properly and dogged it on defense.
to retreat, flee, renege, etc.: Her sponsor dogged it when she needed him most.
fight like cats and dogs. fight (def. 18).
go to the dogs, Informal. to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
lead a dog's life, to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He complains that he led a dog's life in the army.
let sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities: I'm thinking of trying to repair the defect in my computer, but the issue is minor so maybe I should let sleeping dogs lie.
put on the dog, Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs: For banquet night we get to put on the dog and dress up and look spiffy.
sick as a dog, very sick: We went on vacation but I was sick as a dog the whole time and couldn't enjoy it.
throw (someone or something) to the wolves / dogs, Informal. wolf (def. 13).
Origin of dog
1Other words from dog
- dog·less, adjective
- dog·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for dog
/ (dɒɡ) /
a domesticated canine mammal, Canis familiaris, occurring in many breeds that show a great variety in size and form
(as modifier): dog biscuit
any other carnivore of the family Canidae, such as the dingo and coyote
(as modifier): the dog family Related adjective: canine
the male of animals of the dog family
(as modifier): a dog fox
(modifier)
spurious, inferior, or useless: dog Latin
(in combination): dogberry
a mechanical device for gripping or holding, esp one of the axial slots by which gear wheels or shafts are engaged to transmit torque
informal a fellow; chap: you lucky dog
informal a man or boy regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wretched
US informal a male friend: used as a term of address
slang an unattractive or boring girl or woman
US and Canadian informal something unsatisfactory or inferior
short for firedog
a dog's chance no chance at all
a dog's dinner or a dog's breakfast informal something that is messy or bungled
a dog's life a wretched existence
dog eat dog ruthless competition or self-interest
like a dog's dinner informal dressed smartly or ostentatiously
put on the dog US and Canadian informal to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner
to pursue or follow after like a dog
to trouble; plague: to be dogged by ill health
to chase with a dog or dogs
to grip, hold, or secure by a mechanical device
(usually in combination) thoroughly; utterly: dog-tired
Origin of dog
1- See also dogs
Derived forms of dog
- doglike, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with dog
In addition to the idioms beginning with dog
- dog days
- dog eat dog
- dog in the manger
- dog it
also see:
- coon's (dog's) age
- every dog has its day
- go to pot (the dogs)
- hair of the dog
- hot dog
- in the doghouse
- let sleeping dogs lie
- put on the dog
- rain cats and dogs
- see a man about a dog
- shaggy dog story
- sick as a dog
- tail wagging the dog
- teach an old dog new tricks
- throw to the wolves (dogs)
- top banana (dog)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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