🐶 Dog Eat Dog: The Fierce World of Competition 🐾
dog eat dog — Ruthless competition. Although this saying dates from the sixteenth century, it was at first put very reluctantly, because a much older observation has it that dog does not eat dog (a Latin proverb). Thus Thomas Fuller (Gnomologia, 1732) pointed out that “dogs are hard drove when they eat dogs.” The transfer to human affairs had it otherwise, however. “Dog won’t eat dog, but men will eat each other up like cannibals,” wrote C. H. Spurgeon (John Ploughman, 1869).
📜 Related Expressions
- Every man for himself: Each person must survive or look out for their own interests.
- Eat or be eaten: You must actively look out for your survival, or others will consume your resources.
- Survival of the fittest: Only the ones best adapted can thrive in a competitive environment.
- It’s a jungle out there: A metaphor for the harsh and competitive nature of the world.
🤪 Humorous Take
- Dog eat dog world: “No wonder my pet dog looks stressed; he’s just surviving the corporate world out there one bark at a time!”
📖 Literature & Media Recommendations
- Book: “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu - An ancient text on strategic warfare that often feels incredibly relevant in a ‘dog eat dog’ world.
- Movie: “The Wolf of Wall Street” - An inside look at how aggression and sly maneuvering dominate a highly competitive environment.
- Song: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor - A perfect anthem for battles in the name of competition.
- Poem: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley - A stirring verse about the unconquerable human spirit in the face of ruthless opposition.
💡 Thought-Provoking Quotes
- Quote: “It’s a dog eat dog world out there, and I’m wearing Milk-Bone underwear.” — Norm Peterson, Cheers
- Proverb: “In revisiting our history, watch out for the dogs who flinch at the sight of their own reflection.”
### Which of these phrases describes a highly competitive situation?
- [x] Dog eat dog
- [ ] Bread and butter
- [ ] Pieces of eight
- [ ] Catch 22
> **Explanation:** "Dog eat dog" describes ruthless competition. The other phrases don't carry the same meaning.
### What does 'Every man for himself' imply?
- [x] Each person must fend for their own interests.
- [ ] Everyone works together harmoniously.
- [ ] Someone else will handle it.
- [ ] It represents a peaceful vista.
> **Explanation:** It indicates that each person must prioritize their survival and well-being, hinting at a competitive environment.
### Is 'It's a jungle out there' synonymous with 'dog eat dog'?
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** "It's a jungle out there" often describes the risky and highly competitive nature of the world, similar to "dog eat dog."
### Which of these idioms suggests ruthless self-interest?
- [ ] Fish out of water
- [x] Survival of the fittest
- [ ] Chasing rainbows
- [ ] Rocking the boat
> **Explanation:** "Survival of the fittest" implies fierce natural selection, similar in spirit to "dog eat dog."
May you thrive, not just survive, in this competitive world.
Your friend in exploring language,
Lexi Lyric
