IdiomAnimals

English

all bark and no bite

Meaning: Threatening or boastful but not actually dangerous.

Example: “The new manager shouts a lot, but he's all bark and no bite.”

Origin: From the old saying that barking dogs seldom bite, recorded in English from the 16th century. The shorter form is modern.

Equivalents in other languages

French: Faire le matamore Literally: To play the Matamore

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