hangdog

/'hæɳdɔg/

Thân thiện

The puppy had a hangdog expression after chewing the slipper.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Showing a sense of guilt, shame, or dejection: Describing a person's appearance, expression, or manner that seems ashamed, guilty, or abjectly miserable.
   • Frightened into submission or compliance: Describing a cowed, intimidated, or servile attitude resulting from fear.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • He gave a hangdog look after being caught in the lie.
  • The hangdog expression on her face revealed her deep regret.
  • The defeated soldiers walked with a hangdog air.

Advanced Usage

• "hangdog look/expression/air": This is the most common collocation, describing a specific facial expression or general demeanor of shame or dejection.
  • He couldn't meet my eyes and had a hangdog look the entire meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Hangdog can also function as a noun (archaic), meaning a base, sneaking, or contemptible person. However, its modern use is almost exclusively adjectival.
  • Noun (archaic): He was considered a hangdog by the townsfolk.

Synonyms

• Shamefaced: Showing a sense of shame.
• Crestfallen: Sad and disappointed.
• Abject: Miserable and without pride.
• Sheepish: Embarrassed from shame or shyness.
• Dejected: Sad and depressed.

Antonyms

• Defiant: Boldly resistant.
• Proud: Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction.
• Unabashed: Not embarrassed or ashamed.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To look hangdog: To have a guilty or ashamed appearance.
  • Stop looking so hangdog and tell me what happened.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. frightened into submission or compliance
2. showing a sense of guilt
   • a guilty look
   • the hangdog and shamefaced air of the retreating enemy- Eric Linklater

Từ đồng nghĩa

• guilty
• shamefaced
• shamed