Understanding the Idiom “Every Dog Has Its Day” for IELTS Preparation

When preparing for the IELTS exam, it’s crucial to have a good understanding of idioms and expressions that can enrich your language. One such idiom is “Every dog has its day.” Let’s explore this idiom thoroughly, noting its meaning, usage, and relevance in different sections of the IELTS test.

What Does “Every Dog Has Its Day” Mean?

The idiom “Every dog has its day” means that everyone will have a moment of triumph or success eventually, no matter how improbable it may seem. It implies that even those who seem least likely to succeed will have a chance or turn at success.

Pronunciation:

• /ˈev.ri dɒɡ hæz ɪts deɪ/

Synonyms and Related Terms:

1. Fortune favors the bold /ˈfɔː.tʃuːn ˈfeɪ.vərz ðə bəʊld/

   • Meaning: Brave or courageous actions often bring good luck.
   • Example: She took a big risk, but as they say, fortune favors the bold.

2. Every cloud has a silver lining /ˈev.ri klaʊd hæz ə ˈsɪl.və ˈlaɪ.nɪŋ/

   • Meaning: There is always something good in bad situations.
   • Example: He lost his job, but every cloud has a silver lining because he found a better one soon after.

3. Patience is a virtue /ˈpeɪ.ʃəns ɪz ə ˈvɜrtʃu/

   • Meaning: Being patient is a good quality and often beneficial.
   • Example: Remember, patience is a virtue; your time will come.

4. Good things come to those who wait /ɡʊd θɪŋz kʌm tə ðoʊz hu weɪt/

   • Meaning: Patience will eventually be rewarded.
   • Example: She waited for years, but good things come to those who wait.

5. Time heals all wounds /taɪm hiːlz ɔl wʊnds/

   • Meaning: Over time, emotional pains will lessen.
   • Example: After the breakup, she believed that time heals all wounds.

Every dog has its day

Frequency in the IELTS Exam

This idiom, like many others, may not appear as a direct question but can be significant in enriching your vocabulary and improving your scores in the Speaking and Writing sections.

Writing Section:

In Task 2, using idioms can make your essay more engaging. However, avoid overusing them. Let’s look at a sample sentence:

• For instance, while many students struggle through years of education, it is crucial to remember that every dog has its day, and perseverance often leads to success.

Speaking Section:

In the Speaking test, using idioms correctly can show your fluency and understanding of English expressions:

• Speaking Part 2 Example: “Describe a time when you felt down but later succeeded.”
  • “I remember when I failed my math exams repeatedly; however, I kept studying hard, believing that every dog has its day. Eventually, I excelled and scored the highest in my class.”

Practical Examples and Usage

Example 1:

• Context: Discussion about career success
  • “John was always overlooked for promotions, but every dog has its day; now he’s the head of the department.”

Example 2:

• Context: Sports commentary
  • “Despite being the underdogs, they won the championship. Every dog has its day!”

Combining Keywords and Phrases

Using the idiom effectively requires understanding its contextual fit. Here are some combined examples:

Philanthropy and Business:

• “In philanthropy, even small organizations make a big impact over time. Every dog has its day sooner or later.”

Personal Experiences:

• “Though I wasn’t the best player on the team, I never gave up. Every dog has its day, and I was the MVP of our final game.”

Historical Success:

• “Many historical figures faced numerous rejections, but every dog has its day, and they eventually succeeded.”

Related Idioms and Expressions

1. The darkest hour is before the dawn

   • Meaning: Things are often toughest just before a breakthrough
   • Example: He was on the verge of giving up, but the darkest hour is before the dawn, and success was just around the corner.

2. When one door closes, another one opens

   • Meaning: Loss or failure often leads to new opportunities
   • Example: She lost her job, but when one door closes, another one opens, and she found a better position soon after.

3. Rome wasn’t built in a day

   • Meaning: Great accomplishments take time
   • Example: Don’t rush; remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

4. Success is a journey, not a destination

   • Meaning: Success involves continuous effort, not just a final goal
   • Example: Enjoy the process and keep working hard because success is a journey, not a destination.

5. A stitch in time saves nine

   • Meaning: Fixing a small problem now prevents it from becoming a bigger one
   • Example: Addressing issues early is vital since a stitch in time saves nine.

Conclusion

Understanding and using idioms like “Every dog has its day” can significantly boost your IELTS performance, especially in the Writing and Speaking sections. This idiom is a reminder that patience and perseverance are often rewarded. Keep practicing and incorporating such expressions into your language use, and you’ll likely see improvement in your fluency and overall language proficiency.

For more insights into using idioms in your IELTS writing, check out this link.

Happy studying, and remember, every dog has its day!