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wag

[wæɡ]

wag Definition

  • 1to move from side to side or up and down quickly and repeatedly
  • 2a person who makes jokes or witty remarks

Using wag: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "wag" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The dog's tail began to wag when he saw his owner.

  • Example

    She wagged her finger at him in disapproval.

  • Example

    He was known as the office wag for his humorous comments.

  • Example

    The comedian was a master of the witty wag.

wag Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for wag

Antonyms for wag

Idioms Using wag

  • a sign of happiness or friendliness

    Example

    The dog greeted us with a wag of its tail.

  • wag one's tail

    to be happy or excited

    Example

    The children were wagging their tails with excitement at the prospect of going to Disneyland.

  • to stroke one's beard while thinking or pondering something

    Example

    He sat there, wagging his beard, trying to come up with a solution to the problem.

Phrases with wag

  • a situation where a small or unimportant part is controlling the whole

    Example

    The marketing department is supposed to support the sales team, but it seems like the tail is wagging the dog.

  • wag one's tongue

    to talk excessively or gossip

    Example

    She's always wagging her tongue about other people's business.

  • to manipulate public opinion or divert attention from a political scandal by creating a crisis or conflict that distracts from the main issue

    Example

    The president was accused of trying to wag the dog by launching a military strike overseas to distract from his domestic problems.

Origins of wag

from Old Norse 'vagga', meaning 'to sway'

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Summary: wag in Brief

The term 'wag' [wæɡ] can be used as a verb to describe quick and repeated movements from side to side or up and down, as in 'The dog's tail began to wag when he saw his owner.' It can also refer to a person who makes jokes or witty remarks, as in 'He was known as the office wag for his humorous comments.' Phrases like 'tail wagging the dog' and idioms like 'a dog wagging its tail' are also common. 'Wag' can also be used as a noun to describe someone who makes jokes or witty remarks.

How do native speakers use this expression?