Everyday Dog Idioms and Phrases Inspired from Real Life Situations

1. Every Dog Has Its Day

Meaning: Everyone gets a chance at success or victory, even if not immediately.
Hindi Meaning: हर किसी का समय आता है।
Example: After years of struggling as a writer, she finally became a bestseller. Truly, every dog has its day.

This idiom is rooted in the belief that even those overlooked or underestimated will eventually enjoy a moment of recognition.

2. Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Meaning: To pursue a mistaken course of action or accuse the wrong person.
Hindi Meaning: गलत जगह दोष लगाना या गलत दिशा में प्रयास करना।
Example: If you think I was the one who leaked the news, you are barking up the wrong tree.

Dogs often bark at trees while hunting, even if the prey is elsewhere, which inspired this phrase.

3. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Meaning: Avoid interfering in a situation that might cause trouble.
Hindi Meaning: पुराने मामलों को छेड़ना मत, वरना समस्या बढ़ जाएगी।
Example: We decided not to discuss the old argument again; it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie.

This idiom advises caution in reopening past disputes.

4. Work Like a Dog

Meaning: To work extremely hard or tirelessly.
Hindi Meaning: बहुत मेहनत से काम करना।
Example: He worked like a dog to finish the project on time.

The image comes from dogs laboring tirelessly in farms or fields.

5. Dog-Eat-Dog World

Meaning: A ruthless environment where people compete fiercely for survival or success.
Hindi Meaning: ऐसा संसार जहाँ लोग एक-दूसरे से निर्दयतापूर्वक प्रतिस्पर्धा करते हैं।
Example: The corporate sector is a dog-eat-dog world.

This metaphor depicts extreme competition, resembling wild survival instincts.

6. Top Dog

Meaning: A person who is most powerful, influential, or dominant in a group.
Hindi Meaning: सबसे बड़ा या प्रभावशाली व्यक्ति।
Example: After the elections, he became the top dog of the party.

The idiom originates from dogfights where the winning dog stood on top.

7. The Underdog

Meaning: Someone who is expected to lose but may still succeed.
Hindi Meaning: कमजोर माना जाने वाला प्रतियोगी।
Example: In sports, fans often cheer for the underdog.

It highlights sympathy for those facing overwhelming odds.

8. Dog Tired

Meaning: Extremely exhausted.
Hindi Meaning: बहुत थका हुआ।
Example: After walking for hours, I was dog tired.

The idiom compares fatigue to dogs collapsing after a long chase.

9. Like a Dog with Two Tails

Meaning: Extremely happy or delighted.
Hindi Meaning: बहुत अधिक खुश।
Example: He was like a dog with two tails when he got the job.

The imagery is of a dog wagging its tail furiously when joyful.

10. A Dog in the Manger

Meaning: Someone who prevents others from using something, even if they don’t need it.
Hindi Meaning: ऐसा व्यक्ति जो खुद उपयोग न करे, लेकिन दूसरों को भी न करने दे।
Example: Don’t be a dog in the manger—if you’re not watching TV, let others use it.

This comes from an old fable where a dog lay in a manger, not eating hay but also preventing oxen from doing so.

11. Go to the Dogs

Meaning: To decline in quality or condition.
Hindi Meaning: बिगड़ जाना या पतन होना।
Example: The neighborhood has gone to the dogs since the factory closed.

The idiom suggests ruin or neglect.

12. Call Off the Dogs

Meaning: To stop attacking or criticizing someone.
Hindi Meaning: आलोचना या दबाव बंद करना।
Example: The manager called off the dogs once the employee apologized.

It draws from the practice of using dogs in hunting or pursuit.

13. Hair of the Dog

Meaning: A drink taken to cure a hangover.
Hindi Meaning: नशे के उतारने के लिए फिर से शराब पीना।
Example: He swears by the hair of the dog after a long night of partying.

An old belief was that a bit of what harmed you could also cure you.

14. Crooked as a Dog’s Hind Leg

Meaning: Very dishonest.
Hindi Meaning: बहुत बेईमान।
Example: That politician is crooked as a dog’s hind leg.

The unusual posture of a dog’s bent leg inspires the metaphor.

15. Put on the Dog

Meaning: To show off or act pretentiously.
Hindi Meaning: दिखावा करना।
Example: They really put on the dog for the wedding celebration.

Historically, wealth was symbolized by owning expensive dogs, giving rise to this expression.

16. Dog and Pony Show

Meaning: An elaborate but superficial display.
Hindi Meaning: चमक-दमक वाला पर कम मूल्यवान प्रदर्शन।
Example: The new product launch was nothing more than a dog and pony show.

It implies style without substance.

17. The Tail Wagging the Dog

Meaning: A situation where a minor part controls the whole.
Hindi Meaning: छोटा हिस्सा पूरे को नियंत्रित कर रहा है।
Example: Allowing the intern to dictate company policy is the tail wagging the dog.

This idiom captures imbalance in authority.

18. Throw to the Dogs

Meaning: To abandon or sacrifice something as worthless.
Hindi Meaning: बेकार मानकर छोड़ देना।
Example: The plan was thrown to the dogs after the budget was cut.

The expression alludes to feeding scraps to street dogs.

19. Dog’s Breakfast (or Dog’s Dinner)

Meaning: A complete mess.
Hindi Meaning: पूरी तरह से अव्यवस्था।
Example: His report was a dog’s breakfast, full of errors.

The phrase compares disarray to food scattered by a dog.

20. Fight Like Cats and Dogs

Meaning: To quarrel fiercely and continuously.
Hindi Meaning: बहुत लड़ना-झगड़ना।
Example: The two brothers fight like cats and dogs but still care for each other.

It reflects the natural rivalry between cats and dogs.