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• bird dog
  bird dog

  noun

  one of any of various breeds of dogs trained to hunt or retrieve birds.
• bird-dog
  bird-dog

  verb (used with object)

  to follow, watch carefully, or investigate.

bird dog

¹ American  

noun

1. one of any of various breeds of dogs trained to hunt or retrieve birds.

2. Informal. a person hired to locate special items or people, especially a talent scout who seeks out promising athletes.

3. Slang. a person who steals another person's date.

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bird-dog ² American  

[burd-dawg, -dog] / ˈbɜrdˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

verb (used with object)

Informal.

bird-dogged, bird-dogging

1. to follow, watch carefully, or investigate.

2. to seek out.

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verb (used without object)

bird-dogged, bird-dogging

1. Informal. to follow or watch carefully.

2. Slang. to steal or attempt to steal another person's date.

bird dog British  

noun

1. hunting a dog used or trained to retrieve game birds after they are shot

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verb

1. informal to control closely with unceasing vigilance

Etymology

Origin of bird dog¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Origin of bird-dog²

v. use of bird dog

Example Sentences

“If you know a minuscule amount about a bird dog, you don’t take a 14 month old out with trained adult dogs and expect them to perform. That’s not how it works.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024

Salazar, whose office's organized crime investigators are looking into the issue, said a recruiter was paid a "bird dog fee" to recruit people to board a plane.

From Salon • Sep. 20, 2022

“I wish I got as excited about anything as much as a bird dog going after a pheasant,” he once told reporters.

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2017

But in a state with an official — deep breath — tree, bird, dog, animal, insect, amphibian, butterfly, saltwater fish, freshwater fish, rock, mineral, gem and, yes, tartan, some say the legislators have a point.

From US News • Mar. 30, 2015

“I’m busy as a bird dog myself these days,” Grandma said.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck