Idiom
every dog has its day
Meanings
Everyone, even someone usually unsuccessful or overlooked, will have a time of success, good luck, or recognition.
Definition
Everyone gets a chance for success or good luck at some point.
“Every dog has its day” means that even someone who is usually unlucky or underestimated will have a moment when things go well. It suggests that success and good fortune come around eventually. People often say it to encourage patience or to explain an unexpected win.
Examples
- I didn’t expect him to win, but every dog has its day.
- After years of rejection, she finally got hired—every dog has its day.
- Don’t laugh at my old car; every dog has its day.
- They were the weakest team all season, but every dog has its day.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes change the idiom to “each dog has a day” or “every dog has his day,” but the fixed form is “every dog has its day.”
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.