Sick as a dog

Meaning

The idiom "sick as a dog" means to be extremely tired or exhausted, often after a long journey or physical activity. It can also mean being worn out mentally, such as from work or stress.

Usage

• After the marathon, John felt so sick as a dog that he could barely walk.
• She's been working non-stop for weeks and is starting to feel sick as a dog.
• The hike was grueling and by the end, we were all feeling sick as dogs.
• He's been studying for his exams for months and now he feels sick as a dog.
• After the long flight, she felt so sick as a dog that she couldn't even manage to eat.

Roots and History

The idiom "sick as a dog" has its roots in the 19th century. The earliest known use of the phrase can be traced back to the late 1800s, where it was used in various contexts such as literature, newspapers, and speech. In the early days of aviation, pilots often complained about feeling "sick as a dog" after long flights. Over time, the idiom has evolved to include both physical and mental exhaustion.

Synonyms in English

• Exhausted
• Tired out
• Worn out
• Drained
• Fatigued

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: cansado/cansada - to be tired or exhausted
• Français: fatigué/fatiguée - to be tired or exhausted
• German: abgeschlagen/abgeschlagen - to be tired or exhausted
• Italian: stanchiato/stanciata - to be tired or exhausted
• Japanese: 疲れた/疲れている - to be tired or exhausted

Similar Idioms

• dog tired

• seventh heaven

• never look a gift horse in the mouth