sick as a dog

as sick as a dog

Meaning

• To be very sick.
• The phrase refers to being in a state that is very unpleasant.

Example Sentences

1. You should not go to study with him today. He seemed to be as sick as a dog according to his friends.
2. No one likes being as sick as a dog, that is why it is important to take care of one's self on a regular basis and eat with moderation.
3. Going to that party would mean that you would drink to your heart's content and come back to be as sick as a dog in the morning. Why do you do such a thing to yourself?

Origin
Dog was considered an undesirable animal in the 17^th century. So much so that there are a lot of phrases which refer to them negatively [tired as a dog, dog in the manger, down to the dogs, dog's breakfast, dirty dog, etc.]. Sick as dog refers to being so sick that one may feel like vomiting. The first literary use of the expression is in 1705. The phrase still reflects in a negative sense as it was intended back then.

Synonyms and Variants

• Sick as a Parrot.
• Sick as a horse (when one is sick without the sensation of vomiting).
• Sick as a cat.