dog's disease: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very LowInformal, Colloquial, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “dog's disease” mean?
A condition, often implying tiredness, lethargy, or malaise, attributed metaphorically to a dog (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A condition, often implying tiredness, lethargy, or malaise, attributed metaphorically to a dog (e.g., after a long walk), signifying a temporary state of exhaustion.
Any non-serious, temporary ailment or state of being 'off-colour'; often used humorously to downplay minor illness or fatigue.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily British (and Commonwealth) colloquialism; very rare and likely opaque in American English. The American equivalent would be expressions like 'dog-tired' for exhaustion.
Connotations
UK: Familiar, mildly humorous, slightly old-fashioned. US: Uncommon, potentially confusing.
Frequency
Low frequency even in the UK; primarily found in spoken language and older or regional colloquial use.
Grammar
How to Use “dog's disease” in a Sentence
[Subject] look/feel like a dog's disease.[It]'s a bit of a dog's disease.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dog's disease” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He came in looking a bit dog's-disease after the marathon.
- She felt dog's-disease with that summer cold.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate; unprofessional.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Possible in informal, familiar conversation to describe feeling unwell.
Technical
Not used; no medical or veterinary meaning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dog's disease”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dog's disease”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog's disease”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'I have a dog's disease').
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it refers to a specific, diagnosable condition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a purely figurative, humorous human expression for feeling unwell or exhausted. It does not refer to any actual canine condition.
It is not recommended. The phrase is primarily British and is likely to be misunderstood or sound very odd to American listeners. Use 'dog-tired' or 'under the weather' instead.
It functions as a noun phrase, typically used predicatively after a copula verb like 'look' or 'feel' (e.g., 'He looks a dog's disease'). It can sometimes be used adjectivally with a hyphen ('dog's-disease').
Not typically. It is mild and self-deprecating. However, comparing someone's appearance to a sick dog without their consent could be considered rude, so it's safest used about oneself or with close friends in a joking manner.
A condition, often implying tiredness, lethargy, or malaise, attributed metaphorically to a dog (e.
Dog's disease is usually informal, colloquial, humorous in register.
Dog's disease: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɒɡz dɪˈziːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɔːɡz dɪˈziːz/ (if used). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To look/feel like a dog's disease.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dog after a very long walk in the rain, looking soggy, sad, and exhausted. That 'look' is 'a dog's disease'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MINOR ILLNESS/EXHAUSTION IS A CANINE CONDITION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'dog's disease' most appropriately used?