lapdog
C1Informal, often pejorative
Definition
Meaning
A small dog that is tame enough or small enough to be held in a person's lap.
A person, organization, or country that is completely under the control of, and obedient to, another more powerful person or entity, often used derogatorily.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The extended meaning is a metaphorical use based on the dog's perceived subservience, lack of independence, and eagerness to please. It strongly implies spineless compliance and a loss of dignity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically in its literal and metaphorical senses.
Connotations
Equally strong pejorative connotations in political and social commentary in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British political journalism, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person/Organization] is a lapdog of/to [Powerful Entity][Powerful Entity] and its lapdog, [Person/Organization]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(metaphor) 'lapdog of [industry/regime]'”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The regulator was accused of being a lapdog for the big banks, failing to enforce the rules."
Academic
Used in political science and media studies discourse to describe perceived clientelist relationships.
Everyday
"She takes her little lapdog with her everywhere."
Technical
Not used in technical contexts outside of metaphorical social/political analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of lapdogging to the prime minister.
- He spent the meeting lapdogging his wealthy client.
American English
- The senator is constantly lapdogging for the oil lobby.
- Stop lapdogging and think for yourself!
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandmother has a small lapdog named Bella.
- The lapdog sat quietly on her knee.
- He bought a lapdog for his wife as a birthday gift.
- The politician dismissed his critics as mere lapdogs of the opposition.
- The newspaper is no independent voice; it's become a lapdog for the current administration.
- She tired of his lapdog devotion and wanted a more equal partner.
- The agency's lapdog relationship with the industry it was meant to regulate constituted a profound regulatory failure.
- Once a champion of reform, he was now seen as a craven lapdog to the party's old guard.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a tiny dog sitting obediently in a LAP, doing nothing without its owner's command. Now imagine a person behaving exactly the same way towards a powerful boss.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERVILITY IS CANINE SUBMISSION / A DEPENDENT PERSON IS A PET DOG.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "лапушка" (term of endearment). The metaphorical meaning is close to "шестёрка" or "подпевала", emphasizing servility, not just companionship.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a neutral term for a close ally (it is always derogatory in its extended sense).
- Confusing it with 'watchdog' (which implies independent guarding, the opposite of 'lapdog').
Practice
Quiz
In a political context, what does calling someone a 'lapdog' imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In its literal sense, it is neutral. In its metaphorical sense, applied to people or organizations, it is always derogatory and pejorative.
A 'lapdog' is subservient, dependent, and pleasurable. A 'watchdog' is independent, vigilant, and protective, often monitoring power for misuse. They are near opposites in metaphor.
Yes, informally. To 'lapdog' means to behave in a servile, obsequious manner towards someone. (e.g., 'He's always lapdogging for the boss.')
The literal meaning can be used formally. The metaphorical meaning is common in political and social commentary but is considered informal and evaluative, so it may be avoided in strictly neutral academic prose.