dog
♦♦ dog /d'ɒg, AM d'ɔːg/ (dogs dogging dogged)
1 [N-COUNT]
A dog is a very common four-legged animal that is often kept by people as a pet or to guard or hunt. There are many different breeds of dog.
The British are renowned as a nation of dog lovers.
2 [N-COUNT]
You use dog to refer to a male dog, or to the male of some related species such as wolves or foxes.
Is this a dog or a bitch?
≠ bitch
3 [N-COUNT]
If someone calls a man a dog, they strongly disapprove of him.
4 [N-COUNT]
People use dog to refer to something that they consider unsatisfactory or of poor quality. (AM INFORMAL)
5 [VERB] V n
If problems or injuries dog you, they are with you all the time.
His career has been dogged by bad luck.
= plague
6
see also dogged, guide dog, sniffer dog, sniffer dog
7 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
You describe something as a dog's breakfast or dog's dinner in order to express your disapproval of it, for example because it is very untidy, badly organized, or badly done. (BRIT INFORMAL)
= mess
8 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR n
You use dog eat dog to express your disapproval of a situation where everyone wants to succeed and is willing to harm other people in order to do so.
It is very much dog eat dog out there...
= cut-throat
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that something is going to the dogs, you mean that it is becoming weaker and worse in quality. (INFORMAL)
They sit in impotent opposition while the country goes to the dogs.dog tag (dog tags)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Dog tags are metal identification discs that are worn on a chain around the neck by members of the United States armed forces.guard dog (guard dogs)
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A guard dog is a fierce dog that has been specially trained to protect a particular place.guide dog (guide dogs)
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A guide dog is a dog that has been trained to lead a blind person. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use seeing-eye dog)gun dog (gun dogs)
also gundog
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A gun dog is a dog that has been trained to work with a hunter or gamekeeper, especially to find and carry back birds or animals that have been shot.hear|ing dog (hearing dogs)
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Hearing dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to help deaf people.hot dog (hot dogs)
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A hot dog is a long bread roll with a hot sausage inside it.po|lice dog (police dogs)
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A police dog is a working dog which is owned by the police.prai|rie dog (prairie dogs)
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A prairie dog is a type of small furry animal that lives underground in the prairies of North America.sea dog (sea dogs)
also seadog
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A sea dog is a sailor is who has spent many years at sea. (OLD-FASHIONED)seeing-eye dog (seeing-eye dogs)
also Seeing Eye dog, seeing eye dog
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A seeing-eye dog is a dog that has been trained to lead a blind person. (AM; in BRIT, use guide dog)sniff|er dog (sniffer dogs)
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A sniffer dog is a dog used by the police or army to find explosives or drugs by their smell.top dog (top dogs)
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If a person or organization is top dog, they are the most successful or powerful one in a particular group. (INFORMAL)
Reynolds has never concealed his ambition to be the top dog.
1 [N-COUNT]
A dog is a very common four-legged animal that is often kept by people as a pet or to guard or hunt. There are many different breeds of dog.
The British are renowned as a nation of dog lovers.
2 [N-COUNT]
You use dog to refer to a male dog, or to the male of some related species such as wolves or foxes.
Is this a dog or a bitch?
≠ bitch
3 [N-COUNT]
If someone calls a man a dog, they strongly disapprove of him.
4 [N-COUNT]
People use dog to refer to something that they consider unsatisfactory or of poor quality. (AM INFORMAL)
5 [VERB] V n
If problems or injuries dog you, they are with you all the time.
His career has been dogged by bad luck.
= plague
6
see also dogged, guide dog, sniffer dog, sniffer dog
7 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
You describe something as a dog's breakfast or dog's dinner in order to express your disapproval of it, for example because it is very untidy, badly organized, or badly done. (BRIT INFORMAL)
= mess
8 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR n
You use dog eat dog to express your disapproval of a situation where everyone wants to succeed and is willing to harm other people in order to do so.
It is very much dog eat dog out there...
= cut-throat
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that something is going to the dogs, you mean that it is becoming weaker and worse in quality. (INFORMAL)
They sit in impotent opposition while the country goes to the dogs.dog tag (dog tags)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Dog tags are metal identification discs that are worn on a chain around the neck by members of the United States armed forces.guard dog (guard dogs)
[N-COUNT]
A guard dog is a fierce dog that has been specially trained to protect a particular place.guide dog (guide dogs)
[N-COUNT]
A guide dog is a dog that has been trained to lead a blind person. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use seeing-eye dog)gun dog (gun dogs)
also gundog
[N-COUNT]
A gun dog is a dog that has been trained to work with a hunter or gamekeeper, especially to find and carry back birds or animals that have been shot.hear|ing dog (hearing dogs)
[N-COUNT]
Hearing dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to help deaf people.hot dog (hot dogs)
[N-COUNT]
A hot dog is a long bread roll with a hot sausage inside it.po|lice dog (police dogs)
[N-COUNT]
A police dog is a working dog which is owned by the police.prai|rie dog (prairie dogs)
[N-COUNT]
A prairie dog is a type of small furry animal that lives underground in the prairies of North America.sea dog (sea dogs)
also seadog
[N-COUNT]
A sea dog is a sailor is who has spent many years at sea. (OLD-FASHIONED)seeing-eye dog (seeing-eye dogs)
also Seeing Eye dog, seeing eye dog
[N-COUNT]
A seeing-eye dog is a dog that has been trained to lead a blind person. (AM; in BRIT, use guide dog)sniff|er dog (sniffer dogs)
[N-COUNT]
A sniffer dog is a dog used by the police or army to find explosives or drugs by their smell.top dog (top dogs)
[N-COUNT]
If a person or organization is top dog, they are the most successful or powerful one in a particular group. (INFORMAL)
Reynolds has never concealed his ambition to be the top dog.