Idiom B2 Informal

Every dog has its day

Everyone, even the lowliest or most unfortunate person, will eventually have a period of success or good fortune

Meaning

Every dog has its day — Everyone, even the lowliest or most unfortunate person, will eventually have a period of success, good fortune or power. It is used to offer hope that better times are coming.

Origin & History

This is an old proverb that dates back to at least the 16th century. It is sometimes linked to the death of the ancient Greek playwright Euripides, who according to legend was killed by a pack of dogs. The phrase suggested that even the humble dog would eventually have its moment, just as the lowliest person might one day enjoy good fortune.

The Dutch scholar Erasmus recorded the proverb, and Shakespeare gave it lasting fame by using a version of it in "Hamlet". Across the centuries the meaning has remained stable: no matter how unlucky someone seems now, their time of success will eventually come. Today it is most often used as a gentle word of encouragement.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
Don't give up on the team yet — every dog has its day, and they could still win the cup.Encouraging a friend
She was overlooked for years, but every dog has its day, and now she runs the company.Career success
He kept entering the raffle, certain that every dog has its day.Hoping for luck
After so many rejections, the young writer told herself that every dog has its day.Staying hopeful
Our little shop finally won the award — just goes to show every dog has its day.Small business
Keep training hard; every dog has its day, and your chance will come.Sport and motivation

How to Use It

This idiom is informal and works best in conversation, friendly encouragement, and casual writing. It is used to reassure someone that their luck or success will eventually arrive, even after a run of disappointments. Use it when you want to offer hope, and remember that it refers to the future turning point rather than the present difficulty.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

Every cat has its day, so keep trying.

Every dog has its day, so keep trying. — The animal in the proverb is always 'dog'.

Every dog has it's day.

Every dog has its day. — Use the possessive 'its' with no apostrophe.

Every dog has their day.

Every dog has its day. — Keep the singular 'its'; the phrase is fixed.

Similar Idioms

Your time will come Good things come to those who wait Every cloud has a silver lining What goes around comes around All Idioms →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Every dog has its day" mean?
"Every dog has its day" means that everyone, even the lowliest or most unfortunate person, will eventually have a period of success, good fortune or power. It is used to offer hope and reassurance.
Where does the idiom "Every dog has its day" come from?
This is an old proverb dating back to at least the 16th century. It is sometimes linked to the death of the Greek playwright Euripides, said to have been killed by dogs. The scholar Erasmus recorded it, and Shakespeare used a version of it in Hamlet.
Can you give an example of "Every dog has its day" in a sentence?
Here is an example: "He lost three finals in a row, but every dog has its day, and last week he finally won the championship." — used to say that good fortune comes to everyone in the end.
Is "Every dog has its day" formal or informal?
It is informal. As a traditional proverb it is common in everyday conversation and friendly encouragement, but it is best avoided in formal academic or official writing.
What CEFR level is "Every dog has its day"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level. It is an upper-intermediate proverb that appears often in spoken English and informal writing when offering hope or reassurance.
What are common mistakes with "Every dog has its day"?
A common mistake is changing the noun, such as saying 'every cat has its day'. Another is using the wrong possessive, such as 'every dog has it's day' with an apostrophe. The fixed form is always 'every dog has its day'.
What idioms are similar to "Every dog has its day"?
Similar idioms include: Your time will come, Good things come to those who wait, Every cloud has a silver lining, What goes around comes around. These all share the idea of fortune eventually turning in your favour.
How do I practise idioms like "Every dog has its day"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises are great for practising English idioms. Try writing your own example sentences using the idiom in context, and listen for it in films, podcasts, and conversations.
Can "Every dog has its day" be used in writing?
Yes, in informal writing, blogs, and journalism. Avoid it in formal academic writing unless you are quoting or discussing the idiom itself. In everyday writing it is a natural and encouraging choice.
Does "Every dog has its day" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, "Every dog has its day" is understood in both British and American English with the same meaning: everyone will eventually enjoy a moment of success. The proverb is widely recognised across all major varieties of English.