wretched dog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wretched dog" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disdain or contempt towards a dog, often in a figurative or humorous context. Example: "After chewing up my favorite shoes, I couldn't help but call him a wretched dog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Just wait until you meet his aged neighbor and her wretched dog with its cloudy eye.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Three or four hours after I set out, as the heat rippled up from the long Montana highway and the wretched black dog, whose name was Shelby, lay curled beside me on an Army blanket that she kept nervously wetting and dully chewing on, I started to wonder what might befall a person who disappointed a Rockefeller.

The New Yorker

He looked absolutely wretched, like a beaten dog.

The Guardian - Books

No creatures on the planet live more wretched lives than Indian dogs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then we might not have pavements littered with excrement, or thousands of bored, wretched, pent-up, disturbed and maddened dogs, or 7,227 hospital admissions for dog bites, like we had from March 2014 to February 2015.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Norskies seem to have had a comfortable trip with their dog teams, very different to our wretched man-hauling".

Forbes

The gear they left was in excellent order and they seem to have had a comfortable trip with their dog teams, very different from our wretched man-hauling".

BBC

We are like dogs, involuntarily dry-retching up a wretched and unprofitable cocktail of acrid bile and foul gas, awaiting applause.

The Guardian - Opinion

For near-wretched excess, try the Reservoir Dogs, french fries topped with melted cheese, beef chili, hot dog bits and onions ($7.25).

The New York Times

We did a wretched job covering risks from lead and tobacco in the early years; instead of watchdogs, we were lap dogs.

The New York Times

And they were wretched.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wretched dog" when you want to express a strong feeling of dislike or pity towards a dog, often in a humorous or hyperbolic way. Consider the context and audience, as the term can be perceived as harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "wretched dog" in formal or professional writing, as it carries a strong negative connotation and might be inappropriate. Opt for more neutral or descriptive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wretched dog" functions primarily as a descriptive term, employing an adjective to characterize the noun. It serves to emphasize a negative quality or state associated with the dog. Ludwig indicates its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wretched dog" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey a negative sentiment towards a dog. Ludwig confirms its usability, though it's relatively uncommon. The phrase functions descriptively, primarily found in news and media, with its purpose being to express feelings ranging from pity to annoyance. Alternatives like "miserable mutt" or "horrible dog" offer similar meanings. While grammatically correct, it's advisable to avoid using "wretched dog" in formal contexts due to its strong negative connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Horrible dog

Substitutes "wretched" with "horrible", which is a more direct expression of dislike.

Miserable mutt

Replaces "wretched" with "miserable" and "dog" with the slightly more informal "mutt", retaining a negative connotation.

Nasty little dog

Adds "little" to specify size and uses "nasty" to convey unpleasantness instead of "wretched".

Despicable canine

Substitutes "wretched" with "despicable", which is stronger, and replaces "dog" with the more formal "canine".

Loathsome hound

Replaces "wretched" with "loathsome", indicating intense dislike, and "dog" with "hound", suggesting a specific type of dog.

Contemptible cur

Uses "contemptible" to convey a feeling of scorn and replaces "dog" with "cur", implying a mongrel or inferior dog.

Vile creature

Replaces "wretched dog" with a more general term of disgust, "vile creature", which can apply to any animal.

Unpleasant dog

Replaces "wretched" with the more neutral "unpleasant", softening the negative sentiment.

Awful animal

Substitutes "wretched" with "awful", a milder term, and "dog" with "animal", broadening the scope.

Terrible beast

Replaces "wretched" with "terrible" and "dog" with "beast", suggesting a wild or untamed nature.

FAQs

What does the phrase "wretched dog" mean?

The phrase "wretched dog" typically refers to a dog that is in a miserable or pitiable condition, or it can be used humorously to express annoyance with a dog's behavior. It conveys a strong sense of negativity or disdain.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "wretched dog"?

It's appropriate to use "wretched dog" in informal settings, such as casual conversations or creative writing, where a strong negative or humorous effect is desired. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where a more neutral tone is required.

What are some alternatives to saying "wretched dog"?

You can use alternatives like "miserable mutt", "despicable canine", or "horrible dog" to convey similar sentiments with varying degrees of formality and intensity.

Is "wretched dog" grammatically correct?

Yes, "wretched dog" is grammatically correct. "Wretched" is an adjective modifying the noun "dog". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules for adjective-noun combinations.