it's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Sources & notes
Listed on English Wikiquote “English proverbs” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Common questions
What does “it's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog” mean?
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Is “it's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.