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• red dog
  red dog

  noun

  a gambling game played by two to ten persons with a pack of 52 cards, in which players bet in turn that their hands contain a card of the same suit as the top card of the stock and of higher rank.
• red-dog
  red-dog

  verb (used with object)

  to charge directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped.

red dog

¹ American  

noun

Cards.

1. a gambling game played by two to ten persons with a pack of 52 cards, in which players bet in turn that their hands contain a card of the same suit as the top card of the stock and of higher rank.

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red-dog ² American  

[red-dawg, -dog] / ˈrɛdˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

verb (used with object)

red-dogged, red-dogging

1. to charge directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped.

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verb (used without object)

red-dogged, red-dogging

1. to red-dog the passer.

Other Word Forms

• red-dogger
  noun

Etymology

Origin of red dog¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Origin of red-dog²

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

There’s the stray red dog who’s a steady companion when he’s out living in a lean-to during the summer working months.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

It will run concurrently on Amazon Prime and PBS Kids, bringing back the lovable red dog who grows from a small puppy to one larger than a house.

From New York Times • May 16, 2018

So scientists usually detain it—one group uses a red dog carrier—until it recovers its wits.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 17, 2017

She pointed to a sample painting, of a little girl and a big red dog, and said, ‘Maybe this could be a story.’

From Washington Post • Dec. 17, 2014

Conner wore a Lakers basketball jersey and shorts, and a red dog leash dangled from his hand.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence