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Suggested terms: VOA Special English Program Words, Their Stories
Click one for hint, twice for full word
lead a dog's life
Meaning: To live an unhappy, difficult, or unpleasant life.
Example: He complains that he leads a dog's life at his stressful job.
dog-eat-dog world
Meaning: A very competitive environment where people fight hard for success.
Example: The business world can be a dog-eat-dog world.
every dog has its day
Meaning: Everyone gets a chance to be successful at some point.
Example: Don’t give up—every dog has its day.
in the doghouse
Meaning: In trouble with someone; out of favor.
Example: He forgot their anniversary and is now in the doghouse.
let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: To avoid restarting an argument or creating trouble.
Example: She wanted to complain, but decided to let sleeping dogs lie.
dog-tired
IPA (UK): /ˌdɒɡˈtaɪəd/
IPA (US): /ˌdɔːɡˈtaɪrd/
Meaning: Extremely tired; exhausted.
Meaning: Extremely tired; exhausted.
Example: After working all day, she felt completely dog-tired.
sick as a dog
IPA (UK): /ˌsɪk əz ə ˈdɒɡ/
IPA (US): /ˌsɪk əz ə ˈdɔːɡ/
Meaning: Very sick; extremely ill.
Meaning: Very sick; extremely ill.
Example: He was sick as a dog after eating spoiled food.
junkyard dog
IPA (UK): /ˈdʒʌŋk.jɑːd dɒɡ/
IPA (US): /ˈdʒʌŋk.jɑːrd dɔːɡ/
Meaning: A very aggressive or tough person.
Meaning: A very aggressive or tough person.
Example: He guards his business like a junkyard dog.
dog days (of summer)
IPA (UK): /ˈdɒɡ deɪz/
IPA (US): /ˈdɔːɡ deɪz/
Meaning: The hottest, most uncomfortable days of summer.
Meaning: The hottest, most uncomfortable days of summer.
Example: We stayed indoors during the dog days of August.
rain cats and dogs
IPA (UK): /reɪn kæts ən dɒɡz/
IPA (US): /reɪn kæts ən dɔːɡz/
Meaning: To rain very heavily.
Meaning: To rain very heavily.
Example: It was raining cats and dogs all night.
Other Listening Exercises
Dog Expressions
In progressB1 · 4:40