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3. the hair of the dog

the hair of the dog

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the hair of the dog (that bit you)

an alcoholic drink taken to make you feel better after drinking too much alcohol the night before Paul offered me the hair of the dog, but I couldn't stand the thought of drinking any more.

Etymology: based on the idea that if you were bitten by a crazy dog, the injury would heal if hair from the dog were put on it

See also: dog, hair, of

the hair of the dog (that bit you)

an alcoholic drink that you drink to cure the pain in your head that was caused by drinking too much alcohol the night before

Usage notes: In the past people believed that if you were bitten by a crazy dog, the injury could be made better by putting hairs from the dog's tail on it.

It was early in the morning and Catherine reached for her glass. 'Hair of the dog?' asked Lee with a smile.

See harm a hair on head, let hair down, turn a hair, Keep shirt on!

See also: dog, hair, of