one's dogs be barking

/wˈɒnz dˈɒɡz biː bˈɑːkɪŋ/

/wˈʌnz dˈɑːɡz biː bˈɑːɹkɪŋ/

[sentence]

one's dogs be barking

[SENTENCE]

used to say that one's feet are in pain

{one's} dogs [be] barking definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "one's dogs are barking" and when to use it?

The idiom "one's dogs are barking" originated from early 20th-century American slang, specifically from the African American community. "Dogs" in this context refers to one's feet, and "barking" represents the discomfort or pain experienced in the feet after extended walking or standing. It is used to express that one's feet are hurting or feeling sore, typically from being tired or wearing uncomfortable shoes.

Examples

1. After walking all day in uncomfortable shoes, Jane exclaimed, "My dogs are barking!"

2. Oh god, my dogs are barking.

3. My dogs are barking.

4. My dogs are barking.

Nearby words