What does “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” mean?
"Why keep a dog and bark yourself?" means to have someone else do a task or job that you are capable of doing yourself.
What context can I use the in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Example
I don't understand why he hired a personal assistant. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
I don't understand why he hired a personal assistant. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
Example
She always asks her husband to fix things around the house. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
She always asks her husband to fix things around the house. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
Example
Instead of hiring a professional cleaner, she insists on doing all the cleaning herself. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself
Instead of hiring a professional cleaner, she insists on doing all the cleaning herself. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself
Is “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” effectively in context?
You can use "Why keep a dog and bark yourself?" to question why someone would choose to have someone else do a task or job that they are perfectly capable of doing themselves. It implies that it is unnecessary or illogical to delegate a task when one is fully capable of doing it. For example, if a friend hires a personal assistant to run errands for them, you might say, 'Why keep a dog and bark yourself? You could easily do those errands on your own.'
- 1Household Chores
Instead of hiring a professional cleaner, she insists on doing all the cleaning herself. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
Instead of hiring a professional cleaner, she insists on doing all the cleaning herself. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
- 2Fixing Things
She always asks her husband to fix things around the house. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
She always asks her husband to fix things around the house. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
- 3Delegating Tasks
I don't understand why he hired a personal assistant. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
I don't understand why he hired a personal assistant. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.
Similar phrases to “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?”:
To emphasize the importance of doing a task oneself to ensure it is done correctly
Example
He asked his colleague to complete the report, but it had many errors. If you want something done right, do it yourself.
He asked his colleague to complete the report, but it had many errors. If you want something done right, do it yourself.
To discourage unnecessary outsourcing of tasks that one is capable of doing
Example
She hired a gardener to mow the lawn, but it's such a small yard. Don't pay someone to do what you can do yourself.
She hired a gardener to mow the lawn, but it's such a small yard. Don't pay someone to do what you can do yourself.
To prioritize taking care of one's own responsibilities before trying to manage or control others
Example
He always tries to tell others how to do their jobs, but he can't even meet his own deadlines. Put your own house in order.
He always tries to tell others how to do their jobs, but he can't even meet his own deadlines. Put your own house in order.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Why keep a dog and bark yourself?" is unknown.
Is “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Why keep a dog and bark yourself?" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is more often used in specific situations where someone is delegating tasks unnecessarily.
What tone does “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” have?
"Why keep a dog and bark yourself?" conveys a tone of questioning and disbelief. It is often used to express confusion or criticism towards someone's decision to delegate tasks they are capable of doing themselves.
Can “Why keep a dog and bark yourself?” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Why keep a dog and bark yourself?" is informal and typically used in casual conversations among friends, family, or colleagues. It may not be suitable for formal or professional settings.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase "Why keep a dog and bark yourself?" is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She insists on doing all the cleaning herself. It's like keeping a dog and barking yourself.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Why keep a dog and bark yourself?' to question someone's decision to delegate a task.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- do it yourself
- take matters into your own hands
- be self-reliant
- handle it yourself
- don't rely on others
Antonyms
- delegate
- collaborate
- outsource
- ask for help
- share the workload
