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UKdog eat dog
/dˈɒɡ ˈiːt dˈɒɡ/
/dˈɑːɡ ˈiːt dˈɑːɡ/dog eat dog
[PHRASE]1
(in business, politics, etc.) a situation in which the competition is so fierce that everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, even if it means harming others
What is the origin of the idiom "dog eat dog" and when to use it?
The idiom "dog eat dog" has its origins in the world of dogfighting, where dogs were pitted against each other in fights to the death. Today, the phrase is used more broadly to describe any situation where people are competing fiercely for limited resources or opportunities, and are willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top, regardless of the impact on others.
Examples
1. The fashion industry is a dog eat dog, very difficult world where you're broken down from your head to your toe, constantly told that you're not good enough, waitin' for the phone to ring.
2. The competition for the job is fierce, and it's a dog eat dog situation.
3. The business world can be a dog eat dog environment, where only the strongest survive.
4. During the war, it was a dog eat dog situation - everyone was fighting for their own survival.
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