it's the hit dog that howls

proverb

If somebody is ranting or complaining about something, they were probably hurt by it.

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Meanings

proverb

alternative it is always the hit dog that howls · alternative it is the hit dog that howls

  1. USIf somebody is ranting or complaining about something, they were probably hurt by it.
Cite this entry
APA

it's the hit dog that howls. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20the%20hit%20dog%20that%20howls

MLA

“it's the hit dog that howls.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20the%20hit%20dog%20that%20howls. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “it's the hit dog that howls,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20the%20hit%20dog%20that%20howls.

Source: it's the hit dog that howls on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.