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Region: General | Usage example: He tried a hair of the dog after the big party.

Hair of the dog

Meaning

A small dose of something to relieve a hangover.

Usage

Used in tavern talk to justify a morning drink.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Folkloric remedy for poisoning.

Used in the 17th-century to describe hangover cures.

Related Idioms

Let your hair down

Relax and enjoy oneself.

Hair on fire

Panicked or in urgent distress.

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

More Idioms

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.

Barking up the wrong tree

Accusing or pursuing the wrong person/idea; making a false assumption.