Have a dog in the fight
phrase
Having personal involvement or stake in a situation or conflict.
Though both teams were playing hard, he didn't have a dog in the fight, so he didn't mind who won.
Often appears as...
- doesn't have a dog in the fight
- have no dog in this fight
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Having a deep interest or concern in the outcome of a situation.
Investors, more than anyone, have a dog in the fight when it comes to the company's profits.
Often appears as...
- certainly have a dog in the fight
- really have a dog in the fight
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Having personal involvement or stake in a situation or conflict.
Though both teams were playing hard, he didn't have a dog in the fight, so he didn't mind who won.
Often appears as...
- doesn't have a dog in the fight
- have no dog in this fight
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Having a deep interest or concern in the outcome of a situation.
Investors, more than anyone, have a dog in the fight when it comes to the company's profits.
Often appears as...
- certainly have a dog in the fight
- really have a dog in the fight
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Neutral Observer
Use when expressing neutrality or lack of bias in a dispute or competition.
In the debate between vegetarians and meat-eaters, I don't have a dog in the fight.
Pro Tip 2/3Conflict Avoidance
Implies the speaker wants to remain uninvolved to avoid conflict or stress.
They were arguing over the project's direction, but I didn't have a dog in the fight.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Distance
Suggests the speaker has no emotional connection to the outcome of a situation.
As a foreigner, I don't have a dog in the fight regarding local elections.
Pro Tip 1/3Neutral Observer
Use when expressing neutrality or lack of bias in a dispute or competition.
In the debate between vegetarians and meat-eaters, I don't have a dog in the fight.
Pro Tip 2/3Conflict Avoidance
Implies the speaker wants to remain uninvolved to avoid conflict or stress.
They were arguing over the project's direction, but I didn't have a dog in the fight.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Distance
Suggests the speaker has no emotional connection to the outcome of a situation.
As a foreigner, I don't have a dog in the fight regarding local elections.
Pro Tip 1/3Neutral Observer
Use when expressing neutrality or lack of bias in a dispute or competition.
In the debate between vegetarians and meat-eaters, I don't have a dog in the fight.
Pro Tip 2/3Conflict Avoidance
Implies the speaker wants to remain uninvolved to avoid conflict or stress.
They were arguing over the project's direction, but I didn't have a dog in the fight.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Distance
Suggests the speaker has no emotional connection to the outcome of a situation.
As a foreigner, I don't have a dog in the fight regarding local elections.
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