dog-eared

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does dog-eared mean? In what situations is dog-eared used?

Meaning of "dog-eared"

Meaning

The idiom "dog-eared" is used to describe an object that is overly worn or damaged, typically by being handled too much or by being exposed to the elements. The term has its roots in the term "dog-earing" which is the process of folding the corner of the page of a book. By doing so, the reader can easily locate a specific page they have been reading. Over time, if the book is handled too often, the pages will become excessively worn, which is why this action is known as "dog-earing". Therefore, the idiom "dog-eared" has come to be used to generally describe items that are excessively worn or damaged.

Etymology

The phrase "dog-eared" is derived from the process of "dog-earing" a book, which is folding down the corner of a page to mark a page. In the 19th century, the verb "dog-ear" was first used, which eventually turned into the idiom "dog-eared".

Usage

The idiom "dog-eared" is generally used to describe an object that is overly worn or damaged, typically by being handled too much or by being exposed to the elements. The idiom is also used figuratively, as in the phrase "dog-eared ideas", which describes ideas or plans that have been used too many times, and are now considered outdated or stale. Generally, the phrase is used to describe items that are in a state of disrepair, or of lesser quality than they should be.

Example Sentences

• The old book was full of dog-eared pages, indicating that it had been read many times.
• The carpet in our living room was starting to look dog-eared; it had seen better days.
• After years of use, the chair was starting to look rather dog-eared.
• The political party has been using the same dog-eared ideas for years, and it's high time they freshen up their platform.

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.