a hit dog will holler
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
An offended or defensive response to a statement suggests that the statement applies to the person complaining.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “a hit dog will holler” mean?
An offended or defensive response to a statement suggests that the statement applies to the person complaining.
Is “a hit dog will holler” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.