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in a dog


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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
dog /dɔg, dɑg/USA pronunciation   n., v., dogged, dog•ging. 
n. [countable]
  1. Dog and Cat Breedsa common four-legged animal kept as a pet and bred in many varieties.
  2. Mammalsa wild four-legged animal related to this, such as the wolf.
  3. a despicable man or youth:What a dirty dog he is, leaving you like that!
  4. Informal Termsa fellow:He's a lucky dog.
  5. Slang Terms dogs, [plural] feet:My dogs are killing me.
  6. Slang Termssomething worthless or of extremely poor quality:That movie was a dog.
  7. [Slang.]a very unattractive person.

v. [~ + object]
  1. to follow closely like a dog;
    pursue:The agency was dogged by complaints.
Idioms
  1. Idioms go to the dogs, to go to a worse state or condition;
    deteriorate;
    degenerate.
  2. Idioms let sleeping dogs lie, to leave an existing situation alone rather than risk doing something to make it worse.


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
dog  (dôg, dog),USA pronunciation n., v., dogged, dog•ging. 
n. 
  1. a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
  2. Mammalsany carnivore of the dogfamily Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears. Cf. canid.
  3. the male of such an animal.
  4. any of various animals resembling a dog.
  5. a despicable man or youth.
  6. Informal Termsa fellow in general:a lucky dog.
  7. Slang Terms dogs, feet.
  8. Slang Terms
    • something worthless or of extremely poor quality:That used car you bought is a dog.
    • an utter failure;
      flop:Critics say his new play is a dog.
  9. [Slang.]an ugly, boring, or crude person.
  10. [Slang.]See hot dog. 
  11. Slang Terms(cap.) [Astron.]either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
  12. [Mach.]
    • Mechanical Engineeringany of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
    • Mechanical Engineeringa projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
  13. MetallurgyAlso called gripper, nipper. a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.
  14. a cramp binding together two timbers.
  15. Mechanical Engineeringan iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
  16. an andiron;
    firedog.
  17. Meteorologya sundog or fogdog.
  18. Telecommunicationsa word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
  19. Idioms go to the dogs, [Informal.]to deteriorate;
    degenerate morally or physically:This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
  20. Idioms lead a dog's life, to have an unhappy or harassed existence:He maintained that he led a dog's life in the army.
  21. Idioms let sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
  22. Idioms put on the dog, [Informal.]to assume an attitude of wealth or importance;
    put on airs.

v.t. 
  1. to follow or track like a dog, esp. with hostile intent;
    hound.
  2. to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
  3. [Mach.]to fasten with dogs.
  4. dog it, [Informal.]
    • to shirk one's responsibility;
      loaf on the job.
    • to retreat, flee, renege, etc.:a sponsor who dogged it when needed most.
  • Middle English dogge, Old English docga bef. 1050
dog′less, adj. 
dog′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
dog / dɒɡ/
  1. a domesticated canine mammal, Canis familiaris, occurring in many breeds that show a great variety in size and form
  2. any other carnivore of the family Canidae, such as the dingo and coyote
  3. the male of animals of the dog family
  4. (modifier) spurious, inferior, or useless
  5. a mechanical device for gripping or holding, esp one of the axial slots by which gear wheels or shafts are engaged to transmit torque
  6. a fellow; chap
  7. a man or boy regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wretched
  8. an unattractive or boring girl or woman
  9. something unsatisfactory or inferior
  10. short for firedog
  11. any of various atmospheric phenomena
    See sundog
  12. a dog's chance ⇒ no chance at all
  13. a dog's dinner, a dog's breakfast ⇒ something that is messy or bungled
  14. a dog's life ⇒ a wretched existence
  15. dog eat dog ⇒ ruthless competition or self-interest
  16. like a dog's dinner ⇒ dressed smartly or ostentatiously
  17. put on the dog ⇒ to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner
 (dogs, dogging, dogged)(transitive)
  1. to pursue or follow after like a dog
  2. to trouble; plague
  3. to chase with a dog or dogs
  4. to grip, hold, or secure by a mechanical device
  1. (usually in combination) thoroughly; utterly: dog-tired
Etymology: Old English docga, of obscure origin
'in a dog' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
coupling - dog's age

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