Dogs in everyday expressions

Why do dogs appear in so many everyday sayings? Explore English, French and Italian expressions about weather, rivalry, effort and awkward situations. The original phrases stay visible while questions and explanations follow your selected language. Discover their figurative meanings without mistaking human metaphors for facts about real dogs.

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Dogs in everyday expressions

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  1. 1. In French, arriving “comme un chien dans un jeu de quilles” means arriving how?

    In French, arriving “comme un chien dans un jeu de quilles” means arriving how?
  2. 2. In French, “un temps de chien” describes what?

    In French, “un temps de chien” describes what?
  3. 3. An investigator is “barking up the wrong tree”. What should they reconsider?

    An investigator is “barking up the wrong tree”. What should they reconsider?
  4. 4. Two neighbours “se regardent en chiens de faïence”. How do they interact?

    Two neighbours “se regardent en chiens de faïence”. How do they interact?
  5. 5. What does “se donner un mal de chien” emphasise?

    What does “se donner un mal de chien” emphasise?
  6. 6. In “fa un freddo cane”, what does “cane” add?

    In “fa un freddo cane”, what does “cane” add?
  7. 7. Two colleagues are “come cane e gatto”. What is being described?

    Two colleagues are “come cane e gatto”. What is being described?
  8. 8. The French phrase “entre chien et loup” evokes which light?

    The French phrase “entre chien et loup” evokes which light?
  9. 9. After several failures, Maya finally wins. Which English saying fits?

    After several failures, Maya finally wins. Which English saying fits?
  10. 10. “Non c'era un cane” describes an empty square. Who was absent?

    “Non c'era un cane” describes an empty square. Who was absent?
  11. 11. Someone says “let sleeping dogs lie” about an old quarrel. What do they suggest?

    Someone says “let sleeping dogs lie” about an old quarrel. What do they suggest?
  12. 12. Figuratively, what does the French “rompre les chiens” mean?

    Figuratively, what does the French “rompre les chiens” mean?
  13. 13. A minor committee controls the entire organisation: “the tail is wagging the dog”. What is unusual?

    A minor committee controls the entire organisation: “the tail is wagging the dog”. What is unusual?
  14. 14. A journalist calls someone a “cane sciolto”. What does this suggest?

    A journalist calls someone a “cane sciolto”. What does this suggest?
  15. 15. A small team is called the “underdog” before a final. Is it already defeated?

    A small team is called the “underdog” before a final. Is it already defeated?
  16. 16. What does a “dog-eat-dog” business environment suggest?

    What does a “dog-eat-dog” business environment suggest?
  17. 17. After breaking a promise, Sam is “in the doghouse”. What has happened?

    After breaking a promise, Sam is “in the doghouse”. What has happened?
  18. 18. Figuratively, “non svegliare il can che dorme” advises what?

    Figuratively, “non svegliare il can che dorme” advises what?
  19. 19. Which weather report matches “raining cats and dogs”?

    Which weather report matches “raining cats and dogs”?
  20. 20. Someone keeps postponing a decision. Which Italian idiom fits?

    Someone keeps postponing a decision. Which Italian idiom fits?
Questions covered in this exam
  1. After several failures, Maya finally wins. Which English saying fits?
  2. Someone says “let sleeping dogs lie” about an old quarrel. What do they suggest?
  3. An investigator is “barking up the wrong tree”. What should they reconsider?
  4. What does a “dog-eat-dog” business environment suggest?
  5. A small team is called the “underdog” before a final. Is it already defeated?
  6. Which weather report matches “raining cats and dogs”?
  7. After breaking a promise, Sam is “in the doghouse”. What has happened?
  8. A minor committee controls the entire organisation: “the tail is wagging the dog”. What is unusual?
  9. The French phrase “entre chien et loup” evokes which light?
  10. In French, “un temps de chien” describes what?
  11. Two neighbours “se regardent en chiens de faïence”. How do they interact?
  12. What does “se donner un mal de chien” emphasise?
  13. In French, arriving “comme un chien dans un jeu de quilles” means arriving how?
  14. Figuratively, what does the French “rompre les chiens” mean?
  15. Someone keeps postponing a decision. Which Italian idiom fits?
  16. “Non c'era un cane” describes an empty square. Who was absent?
  17. Two colleagues are “come cane e gatto”. What is being described?
  18. In “fa un freddo cane”, what does “cane” add?
  19. A journalist calls someone a “cane sciolto”. What does this suggest?
  20. Figuratively, “non svegliare il can che dorme” advises what?

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