dog-and-pony show
American Heritage Dictionary:
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dog-and-po·ny show
(dôg'ən-pō'nē, dŏg'-) 
n. Slang
An elaborate presentation orchestrated to gain approval, as for a policy or product.
n. Slang
An elaborate presentation orchestrated to gain approval, as for a policy or product.
[From the razzle-dazzle of trained animal acts at circuses.]
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms:
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dog-and-pony show
An elaborate presentation to gain approval for a product or policy. For example, The administration loved putting on a dog-and-pony show for every minor change of policy. This term alludes to a traveling variety show. [1950s]
Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang:
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dog-and-pony show
noun
Also dog-and-pony Also dog-and-pony
noun, US
1: Orig, a small circus or travelling show; hence, a small-scale or poor-quality entertainment or service. (1914 —) .
2: An elaborate occasion or display designed to attract people's attention. (1953 —) .
St Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch The FAA delayed several American Airlines flights on Jan. 3 for several hours. The fact of the matter is, it's nothing more than a dog-and-pony show to give us the sense of security (2002). Hence dog-and-ponyadjective Of, like, being, or participating in a dog-and-pony show. (1943 —) .
[From the limited range of animal participants in such a show.]
Also dog-and-pony Also dog-and-pony
noun, US
1: Orig, a small circus or travelling show; hence, a small-scale or poor-quality entertainment or service. (1914 —) .
2: An elaborate occasion or display designed to attract people's attention. (1953 —) .
St Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch The FAA delayed several American Airlines flights on Jan. 3 for several hours. The fact of the matter is, it's nothing more than a dog-and-pony show to give us the sense of security (2002). Hence dog-and-pony
[From the limited range of animal participants in such a show.]
| dog's dinner, dog's breakfast, dog's bollocks | |
| dog-box, dog-end, dog-house |
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Copyrights:
American Heritage Dictionary
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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