How to Pronounce "wag the dog"
expression
WAG thuh DOG
WAG thuh DOG
Definition
To purposely distract people from something important by focusing attention on something less significant, often used when governments or the media shift focus to hide real problems.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈwæɡ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɔɡ
British English
wˈæɡ/ /ðə, ði/ /dˈɒɡ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
WAG thuh DOG
UK
WAG thuh DOG
Listen in Context
The government tried to wag the dog to hide the scandal.
The news was just a way to wag the dog.
People felt the story was made up to wag the dog.
They always wag the dog when something embarrassing happens.