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wag the dog

Verb CEFR C1

Definitions

  1. To divert negative political attention by use of a military operation.
    idiomatic
  2. Used in a phrasal verb: the tail wags the dog: to control, as a minor part, a larger thing; to be the tail wagging the dog.

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

wage wage-slave wage-slaved wage-slaves wage-slaving waged

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