rabid dog

Infected biting animal

A rabid dog is a dog infected with rabies, a viral disease that causes aggression, foaming at the mouth, and erratic behavior before death.

The phrase often appears figuratively for someone attacking with uncontrolled ferocity: He went after his opponents like a rabid dog.

The image emphasizes mindless, dangerous aggression beyond reason or restraint.

Related

feral · muzzle · teeth · growl · saliva · infection · wild · aggressive · quarantine · vaccination · put down · animal control · stray · dangerous · Old Yeller · Cujo · To Kill a Mockingbird · madness

Categories
Opposites
behavioral disposition

rabid dogtherapy dog

Animal providing psychological comfort

lap dog · service dog · man's best friend · family pet · house pet

danger/threat level

rabid dogtrusted companion

guard dog

symbolic/metaphorical meaning

rabid doggentle soul

Naturally kind person

voice of reason · pacifist · peacemaker · lamb · dove

Family

rabid, dog, rabies, rabidly, dogs, dogged, doggedly, dogging

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG