Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

sick as a dog

Idioms  
  1. Very ill, especially from a stomach malady. For example, I don't know what was in that stew but I was sick as a dog all night. This simile was first recorded in 1705. Why a dog should be viewed as particularly sick remains unclear.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Scott: Keith woke up the day that people are coming in, Sunday morning, and he is sick as a dog.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026

“You have your child who is sick as a dog, you have no hope, you find CBD hemp, non-impairing, non-intoxicating,” Goldstein said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2024

One woman wrote: “My husband tried this supplement for anxiety and better sleep and was sick as a dog for 24 hours after taking one capsule. He had horrible cramps and diarrhea.”

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 30, 2022

He also would be as sick as a dog the next day.

From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2013

I leaned against the railing of stone, sick as a dog and retching.

From Valley of the Croen by Lee Tarbell

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com