lead a dog's life

lead a dog's life

To lead a life that is difficult, unpleasant, or boring. My poor dad led a dog's life to provide for his kids, but we just wrote him off as a boring nobody. I've had to lead a dog's life since college just to make ends meet.See also: lead, life

lead a dog's life

 and live a dog's lifeFig. to lead a drab or boring life. Poor Jane really leads a dog's life. I've been working so hard. I'm tired of living a dog's life.See also: lead, life