puppy dog

noun

Origin of puppy dog

First recorded in 1585–95

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

It’s got the energy of an eager-to-please puppy dog, and a pedal-to-the-metal pace that helps it blow past most questionable plot developments.
‘Red Notice,’ Netflix’s Most Expensive Movie Ever, Is Big, Dumb and Lots of Fun | Nick Schager | November 5, 2021 | The Daily Beast
The really cute thing was the baby kept going back and forth across the stern of our boat, like a puppy dog saying, “Come back and play.”
The Witness Is a Whale - Issue 107: The Edge | Diana Reiss | September 29, 2021 | Nautilus
Odenkirk asks in his best puppy-dog voice (you know the one).
Breaking Bad's Scene-Stealing Dirtbag | Josh Gajewski | May 26, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
The 'inhabitants' left hurriedly, leaving a small puppy dog, which we rescued.
The Heroic Record of the British Navy | Archibald Hurd
And then that puppy dog just put his little tail between his legs, and howled, and ran away, too; Jimmie waddling after him.
Lulu, Alice and Jimmie Wibblewobble | Howard R. Garis

So Jimmie looked, very carefully, and he saw a white spot on the puppy dog's nose, and told him so.
Lulu, Alice and Jimmie Wibblewobble | Howard R. Garis
He was lying on his back, with his paws in the air, and whining very like a puppy-dog.
The Emerald City of Oz | L. Frank Baum
A little puppy dog came from behind the house and approached them cautiously.
The Crock of Gold | James Stephens

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