have a dog in the fight
Personal stake involved
To have a dog in the fight is to have a personal stake in an outcome—something to gain or lose depending on how things turn out.
From dogfighting, where owners wagered on their animals.
Most often appears in the negative: I don't have a dog in this fight means the outcome doesn't affect you, so you're neutral or indifferent.
- have a dog in the racePersonal interest in outcome
- involvementState of being engaged
- concernTroubled interest in something
- interestAttention, stake, or fee
- stakeSharpened post or share
skin in the game · bias · axe to grind · bone to pick · dispute · gamble · repercussions · opposition · take sides · impact · partisan · exposure · rivalry · dog eat dog · investment · engagement · participation · commitment
have a dog in the fightdisinterested
Free from personal stakes
uninvolved · neutral · impartial · detached · disengaged
having, dogged, doggedly, dogging, fight, fights, fought, fighting, fighter