bird-dog

A hunter uses a bird-dog to retrieve a pheasant from the field.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A dog trained to hunt birds: "bird-dog" refers to a breed of dog specifically trained to locate, flush out, or retrieve game birds during hunting.
   • A person who persistently seeks or follows something: Informally, "bird-dog" can mean a person who is a keen observer or follower, especially in a competitive or investigative context.

2. Verb:

   • To follow or pursue closely: "bird-dog" means to shadow, track, or monitor someone or something with persistence, similar to how a hunting dog pursues birds.
   • To seek out or scout: In business or politics, "bird-dog" can mean to actively look for opportunities, leads, or information.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The hunter brought his loyal bird-dog to the field. (A dog trained for bird hunting.)
  • She's a real bird-dog when it comes to finding rare antiques. (A person who persistently seeks something.)

• Verb:

  • The reporter bird-dogged the politician for weeks to get an exclusive interview. (Followed or pursued closely.)
  • Our sales team bird-dogs every potential client in the region. (Actively seeks out or scouts.)

Advanced Usage

• "to bird-dog a project": to closely monitor or supervise a project from start to finish.

  • The manager bird-dogged the new software rollout to ensure no errors. (Supervised closely.)

• "bird-dogging" (gerund/noun): the act of persistently following or scouting.

  • Bird-dogging is a common tactic in political campaigns. (The activity of tracking opponents or voters.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bird-dogging (adj/noun): describing the act of persistent pursuit or scouting.

  • The bird-dogging strategy paid off with a major contract. (The persistent pursuit.)

• Bird-dogger (noun): a person who bird-dogs; a persistent follower or scout.

  • He is a skilled bird-dogger for the real estate firm. (A person who scouts leads.)

Synonyms

• Tracker: a person or animal that follows a trail.
• Shadow: to follow someone closely and secretly.
• Scout: to search for information or opportunities.
• Hound: to pursue relentlessly.

Phrasal Verbs

• Bird-dog out: to discover or uncover something through persistent searching.

  • The investigator bird-dogged out the hidden documents. (Discovered through persistent effort.)

• Bird-dog down: to track and corner someone or something.

  • The journalist bird-dogged down the whistleblower. (Tracked and located.)

Related Idioms

• "On the bird-dog": engaged in active pursuit or scouting.

  • The scouts are on the bird-dog for new talent. (Actively seeking.)

• "Bird-dog style": done with persistence and close attention.

  • He works bird-dog style, never letting a lead slip away. (Persistently and carefully.)