# cat and dog life

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cat-and-dog-life
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.

## Examples

- They live a cat and dog life and argue every single day.
- Everyone in the neighborhood knows the couple lives a cat and dog life because they are always shouting at each other.
- Despite their public image of marital bliss, those close to the couple knew they lived a cat and dog life, defined by constant friction and bitter resentment.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.