General
that dog won't hunt
What does that dog won't hunt mean?
A dismissal meaning a plan, argument, or excuse is no good—like a hound that refuses to hunt.
"Blaming the weather? That dog won't hunt."
Origin
Southern hunting-culture idiom; a dog that won't hunt is useless, so the phrase rejects a bad proposition.
Frequently asked questions
What does "that dog won't hunt" mean?
It's a dismissal meaning an idea, argument, or excuse won't work—it's no good.
How do you use "that dog won't hunt"?
Use it to reject a bad proposition, as in "Blaming the weather? That dog won't hunt."
Where does "that dog won't hunt" come from?
It's a Southern hunting-culture idiom; a dog that won't hunt is useless, so the phrase rejects a bad proposition.
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