# dog's life

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dogs-life
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A miserable, wretched existence.

## Examples

- He works two jobs and has a dog's life.
- It is a dog's life when you have no home.
- Between the constant stress at the office and his long commute, he feels like he is living a dog's life.
- The soldiers complained about their dog's life while they waited in the cold rain for the supply trucks to arrive.
- He thought being a famous actor would be easy, but the constant travel and lack of sleep make it a dog's life.
- After years of poverty and endless labor, she looked back on her youth as nothing more than a miserable dog's life.

## Origin

The phrase is first recorded c. 1528, appearing in a context that suggests a state of miserable and subservient existence. The comparison relies upon the historical status of the working dog, which was generally expected to endure harsh treatment, scavenge for sustenance, and occupy a social position significantly lower than that of the furniture. In the early 16th century, the domestic canine was rarely a pampered companion, and the idiom reflects this lack of comfort.

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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.