The document lists 27 common English idioms and expressions that relate to dogs. For each idiom, it provides the idiomatic phrase using "dog" and then translates it to simple language without mentioning dogs. This shows how dogs are frequently used metaphorically in everyday English. Some examples included are "every man and his dog was at the shops" meaning many people, "he made a real dog's breakfast of his work" meaning he messed up his work, and "cry havoc! And let slip the dogs of war" meaning incite chaos or violence. The document serves as a reference for common English idioms involving dogs and their literal meanings.

1. The Dog Palms and the Sunset and the
Sea: Dogs in Everyday English
Write the sentence in simple language, and without reference to dogs, on the right.
1. Every man and his dog was at the shops
today.
2. He made a real dog’s breakfast of his
work.
3. My car is running like a dog.
4. I am going to see a man about a dog.
5. I am going home; I am as sick as a dog.
6. I am dog tired.
7. It looks like tomorrow will be another dog
day.
8. Henry was being a dog in a manger about
it.
9. Even without checking the forecast he
knew it would be a two dog night.
10. Cry havoc! And let slip the dogs of war.
11. Rather than argue I decided to let
sleeping dogs lie.
Mr O’Meara – redspacerocket.com - 2009

2. 12. I could tell he was really going to put on a
dog and pony show about it.
13. After my big night, I knew what I needed
was the hair of the dog that bit me.
14. I needed to speak to him so I got on the
dog and bone.
15. I asked if I could have the remains of my
dinner in a doggie bag.
16. It’s a dog eat dog world.
17. I knew it was an old train when I found
myself sitting in a dogbox.
18. This place has really gone to the dogs.
19. The paperback was old and dog eared.
20. He could read the other soldier’s name on
his dog tags.
21. I can really swim but I can do the dog
paddle.
22. It’s raining cat and dogs out there.
23. I forgot to call and now I’m in the
doghouse.
24. Every dog has its day.
25. They were fighting like cats and dogs.
26. I’d like to learn another language but you
can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
27. This is the tail wagging the dog.
28. He’s the top dog.
Mr O’Meara – redspacerocket.com - 2009