dog's life

English

Etymology

First use appears c. 1528. See cite below.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

dog's life (plural dogs' lives)

  1. (idiomatic) A miserable, wretched existence.
    • 1528, J. Strype, Fox Manuscripts, page 174:
      Mr. Ford afterwards had a dogs life among them.
  2. (idiomatic) A life of indolence where the individual may do as they please, just like a pampered dog.

Usage notes

  • Most often expressed as it's a dog's life or to lead a dog's life.
  • Originally the term referred to the hard life of the working dog: sleeping in a damp barn, chasing rats and other intruders, living on scraps, etc. Today, however, it has in some circles acquired the completely opposite connotation indicated in the second sense.

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