Dogs (idioms and expressions)

[Alan]

Hi,

You can lead a dog's life (have a miserable life) or you can be top dog (you're the boss). You can even be in the dog house (be in trouble for what you've done) or live in a dog eat dog society (fighting for survival where competition is relentless) or let sleeping dogs lie (not look for trouble). But what on earth are you doing if you keep a dog and bark yourself?

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Foah]

Hi Alan!

Does it mean: you ordered anybody to do something and do it yourself? Perhaps because you don?t rely on his skills?

Michael
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"Ho ho!" said the clown

[Alan]

Hi Michael,

Exactly that. It often suggests that the person who keeps the dog is no good at delegating jobs to other people and is a little frightened of giving orders.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Yankee]

Hi Alan

I'd never heard that expression before ("keep a dog and bark yourself"), but I like it. :D

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Foah]

Hi together!

Have anybody of you ever read "Paul Watzlawik?s Instruction of being sad!"? One of the instructions he gave to be sad is keeping a dog and barking yourselfs :D

Enjoy reading that pretty instructions!

Michael
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"Ho ho!" said the clown