running dog
Puppet of power
Running dog is a derogatory term for someone who serves another's interests slavishly—a lackey or servile follower.
The phrase derives from Chinese Communist political rhetoric, where it described those who did the bidding of imperialist or capitalist powers: a running dog of Western imperialism.
The image suggests a dog that runs to do its master's bidding.
The term remains strongly associated with Maoist-era denunciations but appears occasionally in other political contexts.
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- yes manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- compradorNative agent for foreigners
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
- puppetControlled performing figure
useful idiot · paper tiger · lackey · borzoi · saluki · impostor · running mate · betrayal · duplicity · sycophant · lurcher · stooge · minion · quisling · henchman · hireling · loyal servant · sheepdog
- classical motifsacanthus, Greek key, guilloche, meander, volute
- Communist ChinaCommunist Party, People's Republic, Great Leap Forward, Gang of Four, Central Committee
- communismMarx, Marxism, Leninism, Lenin, proletariat
running dogfree agent
Unsigned professional seeking employment
self-determined · freedom fighter · revolutionary leader · revolutionary · resistance fighter
running dogpatriot
Devoted country supporter
vanguard · true believer · loyalist · class warrior · comrade
run, runs, runner, runners, runny, dog, dogs, dogged, doggedly