dog in the fight

English

Etymology

In reference to dogfighting and its spectators.

Noun

dog in the fight (plural dogs in the fight)

1. (US, chiefly in the negative, usually in the phrase 'have a dog in the fight') A personal stake in an issue.
   • 2006 October 1, Dennis Lehane, “Refugees” (00:32:06), in The Wire, season 4, episode 4:

     Wilson: He's right. They endorse Royce, fine, 'the hell else they gonna do? But what they say and don't say from the pulpit the Sunday before the primary we still got a dog in that fight.
     Carcetti: I do this right, they respect it.
     Wilson: An' if they don't, at least they get to see a beggin’-ass white man on his knees. Always a feel-good moment for the folks.

   • 2024, Max Rushden in The Guardian newspaper, Sat 17 Aug 2024^[1]:

     What is the perfect Premier League season for football fans without a dog in the fight?

Synonyms

• dog in the race