Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Extremely tired.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Tired as a dog after a long chase.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Exhausted.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Dog tired is an old English phrase usually hyphenated to dog-tired. An adjectival phrase meaning to be physically exhausted, it derives from an old tale of Alfred the Great who used to send his sons out with his extensive kennels of hunting dogs. Whichever of his sons, be it Athelbrod or Edwin, were able to catch more of the hounds would gain their father's right hand side at the dinner table that evening. These chases would leave them 'dog-tired' yet merry at their victory. The tradition was continued for a few generations but is not noted in literature after Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

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Examples

  • And sometimes, yes, my body and mind are just dog-tired and I need to sleep in instead of getting up for my pre-dawn run.

    Food, Energy and Change « Looking for Roots 2009

  • I can see myself now, worn out and dog-tired after the long day, lying on the mats of the palace veranda and gazing upon her at the piano, myself in a perfect idiocy of bliss.

    THE PRINCESS 2010

  • “Enjoy, and when you see some women younger than you going through the dog-tired blues, you send them a drink.”

    Blood Lite II: Overbite Kevin J. Anderson 2010

  • I made it to Home Sweet Home dead dog-tired, checked in, trudged to my room, and opened the door.

    The Exorsistah: X Returns Claudia Mair Burney 2010

  • He beamed, and I thought, oh God, please let him get off at Custer City; it was hot, and I was dog-tired, and wanted peace.

    Isabelle Estelle Bruno 2010

  • We're dog-tired, Wrinkled as a Sharpei and barking like a bitch.

    Introduction to the WOOF Pack | The Stiletto Gang The Stiletto Gang 2008

  • They looked to be dog-tired, too, but I doubt that anyone will ever see a happier reunion of sisters — at least onthisside of the grave.

    R.I.P. 2010

  • It shows three soldiers, unshaven and dog-tired from battle, trudging through Paris past a Parisian woman bundled in rags.

    Soldiers Armed With Pencils and Paint Mark Yost 2010

  • But as dog-tired as many Virginians may be of campaigns, the fact remains that the Democratic primary will be June 9 and one of three candidates will be selected to run against Republican Bob McDonnell.

    Mucking Around For Votes: Clinton At The Pig Sty 2009

  • I'm dog-tired of being accused of trotting out clichéd terms.

    Sarah Schmelling: Dan Brown, Annoying Facebook Friend 2009

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