ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dog's life

idiom
Meaning

A miserable, wretched existence.


Origin

first recorded 16th c.

First use appears c. 1528. See cite below.

Examples
SIMPLE

He works two jobs and has a dog's life.

CONTEXTUAL

Between the constant stress at the office and his long commute, he feels like he is living a dog's life.

COMPLEX

After years of poverty and endless labor, she looked back on her youth as nothing more than a miserable dog's life.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beg for one's life

    To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.

  2. 02

    bread of life

    Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.

  3. 03

    bring back to life

    To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.

  4. 04

    cat and dog life

    An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.

  5. 05

    change of life

    Menopause.

  6. 06

    charmed life

    A life in which one is always lucky and safe from danger.

  7. 07

    claim someone's life

    To lead to someone's death.

  8. 08

    come to life

    To become alive, to be given life; to be brought into existence.

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