dog tucker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Colloquial, Australian/NZ Slang, Rural
Quick answer
What does “dog tucker” mean?
Meat or food specifically for dogs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Meat or food specifically for dogs; something considered worthless or only fit for animal consumption.
In Australian and New Zealand slang: someone or something that is exhausted, near death, or useless; also can refer specifically to a sheep or other animal that has died (or is close to death) and is thus only good for feeding to dogs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is not standard in British or American English. Its primary usage is in Australian and New Zealand English. British and American speakers are unlikely to know or use this term.
Connotations
In Aus/NZ: pragmatic, rustic, potentially cruel or dismissive. In UK/US: largely unknown, no established connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare to non-existent in UK/US; low frequency even in its native regions, mostly found in historical or rural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “dog tucker” in a Sentence
[Subject] is (just/only) dog tucker.That [noun] is good for dog tucker.It'll be dog tucker.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dog tucker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable)
American English
- (Not applicable)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable)
American English
- (Not applicable)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable)
American English
- (Not applicable)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except perhaps in anthropological or linguistic studies of Australian English.
Everyday
Very rare, confined to specific rural Australian/NZ contexts.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog tucker”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He dog tuckered out').
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is understood outside Australia/NZ.
- Confusing it with 'tucker' meaning food in general.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very uncommon and is mostly confined to historical or rural Australian and New Zealand slang.
Yes, metaphorically. In Australian slang, calling someone 'dog tucker' means they are exhausted, useless, or in a hopeless situation.
'Tucker' is Australian and New Zealand slang for food. So 'dog tucker' literally means 'food for dogs'.
It is not recommended. It is very region-specific and obscure. Learners are highly unlikely to encounter it and using it would likely cause confusion.
Meat or food specifically for dogs.
Dog tucker is usually informal, colloquial, australian/nz slang, rural in register.
Dog tucker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡ ˌtʌk.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑːɡ ˌtʌk.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Good for dog tucker.”
- “It'll be dog tucker by morning.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tired, old dog named Tucker. If something is only good for 'Dog Tucker', it's as worn out and useless as that old dog's dinner.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESSNESS IS FOOD FOR DOGS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'dog tucker' MOST likely to be used correctly?