喪家之狗

See also: 丧家之狗

Chinese

lose (by death); mourning; funeral
 
home; family; ‑ist; ‑er; ‑ian; measure word for stores and schools
 's; him/her/it; this dog
trad. (喪家之狗) 喪 家 之 狗
simp. (丧家之狗) 丧 家 之 狗

Etymology

Literal meaning: the dog of a family in mourning

The dog of a family in mourning would often go hungry and wander the streets in search for food, due to neglect by its master. Later, this became a metaphor for a desparate person who has nobody to turn to.

Pronunciation

Idiom

喪家之狗

  1. a desparate person who has nobody to turn to
  2. a stray dog

Synonyms

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