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
How to use dog in a sentence
Science imitates nature as researchers dream up robotic dogs, cheetahs, sharks and even cockroaches.
None, however, have been as all-out cute as this one, a shot-for-shot remake of the teaser with dogs and cats.
'Star Wars' Goes to the Dogs (and Cats) | Alex Chancey, The Daily Beast Video | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis health tracker for dogs fits snugly around collars and monitors activity with the goal of making dogs happier and healthier.
Its time for the government to put a stop to it for good and ban eating cats and dogs.
Will the Swiss Quit Cooking their Kittens and Puppies? | Barbie Latza Nadeau | November 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“In almost all rural areas of Switzerland, it is customary to eat cats and dogs,” she says.
Will the Swiss Quit Cooking their Kittens and Puppies? | Barbie Latza Nadeau | November 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The farewell and the mourning are finished by the slaughter of dogs, that the dying man may have forerunners in the other world.
One little girl attempted to smell at the trees in a drawing and pretended to feed some pictorial dogs.
Children's Ways | James SullyJust a little before daybreak they were all wakened by the bellowing of the oxen and the barking of dogs.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. Ballantyne“Akhab Khan prevented those Shia dogs from shooting you and Mayne-sahib,” went on the low murmur.
The Red Year | Louis TracyAs I came near the house, the dogs began to bark, just as I discovered my horse tied to a tree.
Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson
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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