dog around: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘dog around’ mean?
"Dog around" means to wander aimlessly, without a specific purpose or direction. It can also refer to procrastinating or wasting time instead of being productive.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "lead a cat-and-dog life" means to have a chaotic or constantly quarrelsome existence.
*kid around*
(idiomatic) To engage in playful or lighthearted joking or teasing; to not be serious.
The idiom "horse around" means to engage in playful, often rowdy or foolish behavior. It is used to describe someone who is not taking a situation seriously or wasting time by being silly or disruptive.
The idiom "hang around" means to stay or linger in a particular place or a situation without any clear purpose or reason. It implies a sense of aimlessness or idle presence.
The idiom "go to the dogs" means to deteriorate or decline, often used to describe a situation or place becoming worse in quality or standards.
The idiom *fool away* means to waste or squander something, usually time or an opportunity, by engaging in foolish or unproductive activities.
The idiom "fall around" means to laugh uncontrollably. It is often used to describe a situation where someone finds something extremely funny and can't stop laughing.
The idiom "drag one's feet" means to delay or procrastinate, often due to a lack of enthusiasm or motivation. It suggests a reluctance to take action or move forward with a task or decision.
Unleashing the True Essence
The idiomatic expression "dog around" is widely used in colloquial English and has been in circulation since the early 20th century. While there is no definitive source or explanation for its origins, various theories and speculations have emerged over the years.
One theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from observing dogs' behavior. Dogs are known for their tendency to wander aimlessly or follow people around out of curiosity or a desire for companionship. It is believed that the expression "dog around" could have been inspired by such behavior exhibited by dogs.
Another theory proposes that the phrase may have derived from the concept of a dog trailing behind its owner or a group. In this context, "dogging around" could imply someone following or shadowing another person without a clear purpose or intention. This interpretation aligns with the notion of aimlessness or lack of direction often associated with the expression.
The phrase "dog around" is commonly used to describe someone who is wandering or loitering without any specific goal or purpose. It can be used in various contexts, such as casually observing someone wandering aimlessly in a park or lingering in a place without any apparent reason. Additionally, the expression can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is indecisive or unsure, as if they are "dogging around" a certain decision without settling on a course of action.
Similar to the expression "dog around," the idiom "horse around" is often used to describe playful or mischievous behavior. When someone is "horse around," they are engaging in lighthearted activities without a serious purpose. This could involve playfully teasing someone or engaging in harmless pranks. The phrase "horse around" can be used in various contexts, such as describing children playing or adults engaging in playful banter.
Similarly, the idiomatic phrase "fool around" is used to describe engaging in frivolous or unserious activities. When someone is "fooling around," they are not taking something seriously or engaging in activities without a specific purpose. This could involve wasting time, engaging in unproductive tasks, or engaging in playful behavior without a clear goal. The phrase "fool around" can be used in various contexts, such as describing friends hanging out and engaging in playful banter or students procrastinating instead of studying.
The idiomatic phrase "dog around" is a common expression in colloquial English. Its exact origins remain uncertain and subject to speculation. The phrase is often used to describe aimless wandering or indecisiveness. While the precise etymology may be elusive, the enduring usage of this idiom highlights its relevance and widespread familiarity in contemporary language.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "dog around" can be used in a sentence are:
1. She doesn't like to stay in one place for too long, so she tends to dog around a lot.
2. The stray dog was seen dogging around the neighborhood, looking for food.
3. My brother is always dogging around, never settling on one job or project.
More "Informal" idioms
