keepadogandbarkoneself (third-person singular simple presentkeeps a dog and barks oneself,present participlekeeping a dog and barking oneself,simple past and past participlekept a dog and barked oneself)
- Alternative form ofbuy a dog and bark oneself.
2002, Daniel Yergin, Joseph Stanislaw,The Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy, Touchstone,→ISBN,page xxii:At Potsdam, Attlee was not at all bothered that trade-union leader Ernest Bevin, his new foreign minister, seemed to do all the talking while Attlee sat silent, wreathed in pipe smoke, nodding his head. “You don'tkeep a dog and bark yourself,” he explained, “and Ernie was a very good dog.”
2006, Lucy Delap, Maria DiCenzo, Leila Ryan,Feminism and the Periodical Press, 1900-1918:Men, on the other hand, knowing their privileges safe in well-trained hands, can afford a tolerant attitude. Of what use tokeep a dog and bark oneself? But let the dog show the faintest signs of negligence; let his “yap yap” become ever so little fainter, and instantly his alarmed master grasps the whip and prepares for fierce defence of his rights and property.
2011, Margaret Kaine,Ribbon of Moonlight:I don't see why I shouldkeep a dog and bark myself!” Sadie's voice was so shrill that Polly winced.
