English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Barking dogs seldom bite
Meaning
The idiom "barking dogs seldom bite" means that people who make loud or obnoxious noises are not necessarily dangerous. It is a metaphorical way of saying that it is often easier to deal with unpleasant situations than one might think.
Usage
- When people kept barking during my presentation, I just laughed and said "barking dogs seldom bite." They were so loud that they got the message without having to stop themselves.
- My neighbor's dog barks all night, but he never bit me. I always say "barking dogs seldom bite" when people complain about him.
- When I heard someone slam their car door outside my house, I thought they were angry and expected them to come over. But they just drove away. I told my friend "barking dogs seldom bite."
- My boss always barks at me during meetings, but he never follows through with his threats. I tell my colleagues "barking dogs seldom bite."
- When the kids were playing outside, one of them started barking like a dog. My neighbor walked over and said "barking dogs seldom bite." We all laughed and told him to go back to his house.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom is uncertain, but it has been in use since at least the 16th century. It may have originated from the idea that dogs bark loudly to scare off intruders, but actually rarely bite them. This idea was extended to people who make loud noises or appear threatening but are not actually dangerous. The idiom became more popular in the 20th century with the rise of noisy neighborhoods and loud music.
Synonyms in English
- Don't judge a book by its cover.
- Looks can be deceiving.
- Don't judge someone by their actions.
- You can't judge a person until you get to know them.
- People are not always what they seem.
Synonyms in other languages
- In French, the idiom "les chiens qui brulent sèchement" (dogs that bark dryly) has the same meaning. It comes from the idea that a dog's bark can be loud and persistent, but it doesn't actually bite until provoked.
- In Spanish, the idiom "los perros que ladran mucho no mueren" (dogs that bark loudly don't die) has the same meaning. It is a popular saying in Mexico and comes from the idea that dogs bark loudly to scare off intruders but are rarely dangerous.
- In Italian, the idiom "i cani che ladrono non mangiano" (dogs that bark don't eat) has the same meaning. It is a popular saying in Italy and comes from the idea that dogs bark loudly to scare off intruders but are rarely dangerous.
- In German, the idiom "die wohlgescheidenen Häuser der Straßen" (the well-separated houses of the street) has the same meaning. It is a popular saying in Germany and comes from the idea that people who appear to be enemies may actually get along.
- In Dutch, the idiom "de honden die schreeuwden niet bijten" (dogs that barked didn't bite) has the same meaning. It is a popular saying in the Netherlands and comes from the idea that dogs bark loudly to scare off intruders but are rarely dangerous.