Meaning & use
put on a dog
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Meanings
phraseidiominformalAmerican
To make a great effort to impress others, especially by showing off or putting on a performance.
Grammar: Used intransitively; it does not take an object. Often used in the progressive: 'He's putting on a dog.'
Patterns
- put on a dog for someone
- put on a dog at something
At the talent show, he really put on a dog and sang his heart out.
She put on a dog for the interview, wearing her best suit and preparing answers to every possible question.
phraseidiominformalAmerican
To dress up or present oneself in an ostentatious or showy manner.
Grammar: Used reflexively or intransitively; often followed by 'for' plus an event or person.
Patterns
- put on a dog for an event
They put on a dog for the party, arriving in limousines and designer clothes.
He put on a dog for his high school reunion, hoping to impress his old classmates.
Common combinations
- put on a dog for an occasion
- She put on a dog for her sister's wedding, wearing a fancy gown.
- really put on a dog
- The band really put on a dog during their encore, playing all their hits.
- put on a dog at a show
- The magician put on a dog at the birthday party, amazing all the children.
Synonyms and how they differ
- show off
- More general and often disapproving; it means to try to impress by displaying one's abilities or possessions.
- put on a show
- Similar but less informal; it can mean to perform or to pretend, without the idea of showing off.
Commonly confused: put on a dog or put on the dog?
put on a dog vs put on the dog
This is a variant with the same meaning, but it is less common and uses 'the' instead of 'a'.
Practice
What does 'put on a dog' most likely mean in the sentence: 'For the charity gala, she really put on a dog'?
Choose one answer.
The phrase means to show off or make a big effort to impress, especially in a showy way. Option 1 is literal and unlikely in this context; option 3 is the opposite meaning; option 4 is the opposite of showing off.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “put on a dog”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.