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🐶 A dog breed 🤼 To wrestle cattle 💪 To pursue fiercely
to bulldog

to bulldog

8.7
To attack or follow someone with fierce determination
  • verb
  • /ˈbʊlˌdɔɡ/
  • Informal
translation icon : acosar
  • The press bulldogged the politician with relentless questions all evening.

Examples

  • Despite fierce competition, she bulldogged her way to the top of the industry.

  • The team bulldogged their opponents all season.

  • Security guards bulldogged the intruder until he was safely restrained.

  • She will bulldog her way through any challenges!

  • The journalist bulldogged the CEO with tough questions about the company's policies.

  • They bulldogged the suspect, pursuing him relentlessly until they were able to apprehend him.

  • She bulldogged her way through the negotiation, refusing to back down until she got the deal she wanted.

Synonyms

to bear down
vsto bulldog
16 5.8

Move quickly and forcefully toward someone or something to attack

is more about relentless pursuit and ferocious determination than sudden speed

Compounds

French bulldog
2 2.5

A small, muscular dog with a flat face and bat-like ears

English bulldog
1 3.1

A sturdy, medium-sized dog with a wide face and short coat often kept as a pet

bulldog clip
1 2.9

A strong metal holder with a spring and flat ends for keeping papers together

bulldog ant
  • Australian
9.9

A large aggressive Australian ant with a strong sting and large jaws

bulldog wrench
  • US
7.9

A wrench that grips pipes and rounded bolts tightly

How Aggressive

to bulldog
  • Informal
8.7
to hunt down
148 3.9
to dog
23 6.8
to pursue
∞ 3.5
to follow
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

bulldog infinitive
bulldogged past
bulldogged past participle
bulldogging present participle
bulldogs third person singular

Morphology

bulldog = bulldog (semi-transparent) = bull + dog

The verb is a conversion from the noun 'bulldog' and the forceful, persistent sense is metaphorically motivated by the dog comparison.

Etymology

Bulldog meaning 'to attack or pursue with determination' comes from the bulldog's reputation for stubborn strength and a powerful grip. So to bulldog a problem or person is to go after them with the same firm, won't-let-go energy.