What Does "Wag the Dog" Mean?
"Wag the dog" is an English idiom. It means "to divert attention away from a problem or scandal by introducing a more dramatic event or issue."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "wag the dog" used in a sentence:- The government is just trying to wag the dog by focusing on this minor issue.
- Some believe the sudden military parade is a wag the dog strategy to distract from political controversies.
- Before jumping to conclusions, consider whether it's a genuine concern or if someone's trying to wag the dog.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Wag the Dog" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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