Read full poem →Shadowing kennel and bones
And the black dog that shakes his chain and moans.
Dictionary Entry
Depression, melancholy
In a Sentence
“After weeks of feeling down, she described her mood as a black dog that wouldn't leave her side.”
Origin
First used in 18th‑century British slang, popularized by Winston Churchill to describe his bouts of depression.
Common Phrases
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Antonyms
Poetry examples for “black dog”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.