running dogs
Obedient political pawns
Running dogs is a derogatory term for servile followers or lackeys who do someone else's bidding—people who run when their masters command.
The phrase gained prominence through Chinese Communist rhetoric, where it described those who served imperialist or capitalist interests: running dogs of capitalism.
It remains in use as a political insult suggesting blind obedience to a foreign or oppressive power.
- stoogesUnquestioning subordinates or assistants
- underlingsLower-ranked employees
- lackeysServile attendants
- minionsObedient subordinates of power
- henchmenLoyal subordinates to wrongdoers
yes men · traitors · collaborators · flunkies · instruments · puppets · lapdogs · followers · borzoi · saluki · quislings · useful idiots · fellow travelers · Mao · cronies · subordinates · servants · deerhound
running dogsfreedom fighters
Armed opponents of oppression
revolutionaries · vanguard · resistance leaders · insurgents · liberators
running dogsrevolutionary heroes
Celebrated figures who led revolts
class warriors · patriots · martyrs · true believers · comrades
running dogsrevolutionary heroes
Celebrated figures who led revolts
martyrs · Che Guevara · Ho Chi Minh · Mao Zedong · Fidel Castro
running, dogs, runs, runner, runners, runny, dogged, doggedly