that dog won't hunt
/ðæt ˈdɔɡ woʊnt ˈhʌnt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.35 in modern English
26
Scrabble Score
15
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "‘If the’ ain’t no fools, the’ ain’t no fun,’ said usually in self-derision; and ‘That old dog won't hunt,’ meaning that an excuse offered will not serve. These and the numerous specimens which follow have simply been grouped by the present writer under the heading of Miscellaneous, explanations being made only when the meaning is not clearly evident."
- ""Calling her house help Mr. and Mrs. just won't get it! That old dog won't hunt," Oman had confided. / "I know, but let her discover it herself," Steve had said.]"
- "On the [Arthur] Goldberg proposal to stop all the bombing, [Ellsworth] Bunker "came back strong and said, 'I just can't. That dog won't hunt. We just cannot get that over, it would just blow everything.'[…]""
- "If, as is more likely, Mr. [Ronald] Reagan's plan is just a ploy to win votes for renewed military aid to the C.I.A.-organized and C.I.A.-controlled contras in Nicaragua, a Congress burned once too often should be able to see right through it. Either way, as Lyndon Johnson used to say of losing propositions, "That dog won't hunt.""
- "“Oh, what in the Sam Hill are you a-wearing? I thought I was supposed to be Twain.” “I say you are incorrect, sir. I believe we decided I would be Twain.” “Twin Twains? That dog won't hunt.” “Uh, Mr. Clemens?” “Mmhmm. That's me.” “No, I'm Twain. Switch costumes, you ignominious pretender.” “You're more stubborn than a senate mule.” “Grits, grits, grits!” “Tarnation!” “Fancy pants, big-city lawyer.” “I say you are incorrect, sir.”"
Etymology
Apparently originating from the southern United States, the phrase may refer to a hunting dog that refuses to do its job.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ðæt ˈdɔɡ woʊnt ˈhʌnt/
- British English: /ðæt ˈdɒɡ wəʊnt ˈhʌnt/
Usage
- American usage
Inflected Forms
that dog don't hunt (alternative)