look for a dog to kick
To seek someone or something to blame.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He is angry and looks for a dog to kick.”
“After his boss yelled at him, he went home and looked for a dog to kick by arguing with his roommate.”
“The politician, frustrated by his failing campaign, looked for a dog to kick among his staff to avoid taking responsibility for the defeat.”
The expression refers to a displacement of frustration onto those perceived as unable to defend themselves, specifically dogs. It describes a search for a target of convenience to endure a redirected vent of anger.
- 01
butcher's
[Cockney slang]look
- 02
buy a dog and bark oneself
To do something that one has hired someone else to do.
- 03
call off the dogs
To ease up on after inflicting great punishment.
- 04
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
- 05
dirty look
An unpleasant or disdainful look or expression, often directed at someone.
- 06
dog and cat
A team comprising one male and one female, either working as associates or having one as the second-in-command to the other.
- 07
dog and pony show
Any presentation or display that is overly contrived or intricate, while lacking real substance.
- 08
dog around
To follow diligently.
Last updated August 10, 2026