- Means to be extremely ill or unwell.
- Often implies nausea or vomiting, but can be used for any severe illness (like flu or food poisoning).
Explanation
Origin
- The exact origin is uncertain, dating back to at least the early 18th century.
- One theory suggests it relates to how miserable and pathetic dogs can look when they are ill.
- Historically, dogs were sometimes associated with negative states (e.g., dog-tired, die like a dog), and the comparison emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of the illness.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Proper rough (UK)
- Feeling like crap / Feeling like shit
- Totally wiped out
- Down for the count
- Gutted (Aus/NZ slang feeling unwell, esp. stomach)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Sick as fuck
- Feeling like absolute shit/dogshit
Milder:
- Really under the weather
- Quite ill
- Not feeling well at all
- Feeling poorly (UK)
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Very common in everyday conversation among friends, family, and colleagues. Avoid in highly formal or medical reports.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might question the comparison to dogs. Explain it simply means very, very sick. The severity is key – it's not just slightly unwell.
Examples
- I couldn't come to the party; I was sick as a dog all weekend.
- He ate some questionable street food and was sick as a dog that night.
- She caught a terrible flu and felt sick as a dog for days.
Dialogue
Liam: Hey, you missed Dave's barbecue on Saturday!
Chloe: I know, I was gutted! I woke up feeling sick as a dog, must have been that dodgy sandwich I had for lunch.
Liam: Oh no, nightmare! Are you all recovered now?
Chloe: Yeah, thankfully. Feeling human again today.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Came down with horrific food poisoning last night. Was sick as a dog. Never eating there again! 🤢 #foodpoisoning #neveragain
- Facebook Post: My poor little one has been sick as a dog with a fever all night. Send healing vibes our way. ❤️🩹 #sickkid #momlife
- Comment: Sorry I vanished mid-game yesterday, guys. Woke up sick as a dog and had to bail.
Response Patterns
- Expressions of sympathy: Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that! / That sounds awful. / Poor you/him/her.
- Questions about recovery: Are you feeling better now?
- Offers of help: Is there anything I can get you?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says they (or someone else) were sick as a dog:
- Ask about the cause: What was wrong? / Food poisoning? / Was it the flu?
- Ask about their current state: Are you better now? / How are they feeling today?
- Offer help or condolences: Let me know if you need anything. / Hope you feel better soon.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to describe a state of being, usually explaining an absence or condition.
Intonation
- Strong emphasis usually falls on SICK and DOG: SICK as a DOG.
- The tone typically conveys misery, severity, or sympathy when describing someone else.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Extremely common in most major English-speaking regions (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ).