running dog

noun

1. Disparaging. (especially in Chinese Communist propaganda)
   1. a person or institution subservient to counterrevolutionary interests.
   2. a manipulable, servile follower; lackey:

      to be reviled as a running dog of the colonialists.

2. Architecture. Vitruvian scroll.

Word History and Origins

Origin of running dog¹

1925–30; in political sense, translation of Chinese zǒugǒu

Example Sentences

Mr. Inamori once lived in the factory during a workers’ strike — being denounced by unions as “a running dog for capitalism” — to finish a project that he felt was critical for the company’s survival.

From Washington Post

The risk for Britain, Mr. Powell said, is that it is viewed in other European capitals as merely a “running dog for the Americans.”

From New York Times

China’s state-run Global Times described the United States as “losing its mind trying to rally its allies against China” and accused Australia of becoming a “running dog” of Washington.

From Washington Post

On Twitter, China’s consul general in Rio de Janeiro recently posted a photo of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him “boy” and “spendthrift!!!” and accusing him of turning Canada into a “running dog of the U.S.”

From Los Angeles Times

China has responded angrily to shows of unity by Washington's allies, with its diplomats dubbing Japan a "vassal" and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a "running dog" of the United States.

From Reuters

Related Words

• assistant
• associate
• co-worker
• colleague