Dogs (idioms and expressions)

English as a Second Language What do you want to talk about?
1

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

2

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

3

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

4

Hi Alan

I’d never heard that expression before (“keep a dog and bark yourself”), but I like it. :smiley:

Amy

5

Hi together!

Have anybody of you ever read “[color=red]Paul Watzlawik?s Instruction of being sad!”? One of the instructions he gave to be sad is [color=red]keeping a dog and barking yourselfs :smiley:

Enjoy reading that pretty instructions!

Michael