Animal idiom: 'leads a dog's life'

[Francie Student]

English Idioms and Expressions, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #9 "Animal Idioms", question 1

His wife never lets him do what he wants and as a result he leads a dog's life.

(a) easts what he can
(b) never sleeps
(c) has an unhappy time
(d) goes everywhere on foot

English Idioms and Expressions, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #9 "Animal Idioms", answer 1

His wife never lets him do what he wants and as a result he has an unhappy time.

Correct answer: (c) has an unhappy time
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To use an animal idiom, Do we have to know their / animal habits first?

Francie

[Conchita]

It would certainly help learn, remember and understand the idioms ! Anyway, in this particular case, 'to lead a dog's life' doesn't refer to all dogs, considering the pampered lives many of them lead!

[Adam777]

lead a dog's life means to have an unhappy or harassed existence: This expression was first recorded in a 16th-century manuscript and refers to the miserable existence of dogs during this era. By the 1660s there was a proverb: "It's a dog's life, hunger and ease.