black dog

American  

noun

Informal.

1. melancholy; despondency; the blues.

   The black dog is over him.

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black dog British  

noun

1. informal depression or melancholy

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Etymology

Origin of black dog

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

And the Barghest was a spectre who took the form of a bear or a black dog with large, flaming eyes as big as saucers.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

The video shows a man dressed in a white tank top and jeans with a black dog by his side walking up to Blueface while a boxing trainer steps between them.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2023

Tár tries to follow a comely cellist into her apartment, but instead encounters a dank basement and a hulking black dog that recalls the maybe-supernatural Hound of the Baskervilles.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2022

Another pair, then a man, trailed by a woman and a black dog and then a cluster of five people and four dogs.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2022

“Use your eyes,” said the black dog with the long snout.

From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman