ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not enough to hang a dog on

idiom
Meaning

Of evidence, not strong or compelling; with very little or insubstantial evidence.


Examples
SIMPLE

The evidence against him is not enough to hang a dog on.

CONTEXTUAL

The police dropped the case because the clues they found were not enough to hang a dog on.

COMPLEX

Although the detective suspected the butler, the information gathered during the initial investigation was simply not enough to hang a dog on, forcing him to look for more proof.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    buy a dog and bark oneself

    To do something that one has hired someone else to do.

  2. 02

    call off the dogs

    To ease up on after inflicting great punishment.

  3. 03

    can't get enough

    Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.

  4. 04

    cat and dog life

    An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.

  5. 05

    close enough for government work

    Adequate; acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.

  6. 06

    crazy enough to work

    Acknowledging that an idea, plan, or strategy seems foolish, implausible, or risky, yet might succeed precisely because of its unconventional or unexpected nature.

  7. 07

    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.

  8. 08

    dog and pony show

    Any presentation or display that is overly contrived or intricate, while lacking real substance.

Last updated April 17, 2026