raw dog

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitiveslangvulgar

   To have sex without using a condom or other protection.

   Grammar: Can take an object (raw-dog someone) or stand alone (they raw-dogged).

   Patterns

   • raw-dog someone
   • raw-dog it

   Health educators warn that people who raw-dog put themselves at risk.

   The comedian joked about a friend who raw-dogged without thinking.

   Using the term raw-dogging in a clinic leaflet would be considered crude.

2. 2verbtransitiveslanghumorous

   To do something in an unusually plain, exposed way, with no entertainment or aid, such as sitting through a long flight with nothing to watch.

   Grammar: Takes an object that names the activity: raw-dogging a flight.

   Patterns

   • raw-dog something

   He raw-dogged the ten-hour flight with no movie, no book and no music.

   She raw-dogged the meeting without any notes.

   I'm not raw-dogging this hike with no snacks.

Word forms

Common combinations

raw-dog a flight

Some travelers brag that they raw-dog a flight.

raw-dog the exam

He raw-dogged the exam without revising.

raw-dogging life

Her friends called it raw-dogging life, doing everything the hard way.

raw-dog it

I'm just going to raw-dog it without a map.

Synonyms and how they differ

wing it

Means improvising without preparation, but does not imply doing without any comfort or aid.

go in blind

Stresses lack of information, whereas raw-dogging stresses lack of comfort or entertainment.

rough it

Describes living with few comforts, usually while camping or traveling, and is more neutral in tone.

Opposites

Word family

raw adjective

uncooked, unprotected or unrefined

raw-dogging noun

the act of raw-dogging

raw-dogged verb

past tense of raw-dog

Commonly confused: raw dog or raw dog food?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “raw dog”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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