pit bull
pit bull — noun
1. a short-haired, muscular dog with a wide head and a strong body, originally bred
a short-haired, muscular dog with a wide head and a strong body, originally bred for baiting bulls and later for dog fighting, and now often kept as a pet or guard dog.
The shelter has a pit bull named Coco who loves to play fetch.
Sayaka walks her pit bull every morning before breakfast.
collocation: walk one's pit bull
Some apartment buildings do not allow pit bulls because of their reputation.
The pit bull wagged its tail as the children ran toward it.
Adisa volunteers at a rescue center that cares for abandoned pit bulls.
Jamal adopted a shelter dog; the vet called it a "pit bull type" since several breeds share that build.
- bulldog
a different breed — shorter, less muscular, with a pushed-in face
- Staffordshire terrier
a specific breed often grouped under the label 'pit bull'
- American pit bull terrier
the most well-known breed within the pit bull category
用法筆記
Pit bulls are often described in the media as aggressive, but many owners say the dogs are loyal and gentle when properly trained. The term 'pit bull' is not a single breed name — it covers several related breeds including the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, and the Staffordshire bull terrier. Animal welfare organizations often use 'pit bull type' to describe dogs with similar physical traits, since individual breeds can be hard to tell apart by appearance alone.
常見錯誤
pit bull — idiom
1. a person who is extremely determined, aggressive, and unwilling to give up, espe
a person who is extremely determined, aggressive, and unwilling to give up, especially in a competitive or confrontational situation.
In court, the lawyer was a pit bull who fought for her client's every advantage.
figurative use for a lawyer
Minho called their manager a pit bull after she pushed the deal through alone.
Kasia plays basketball like a pit bull, chasing every rebound and never backing down.
The journalist became a pit bull during the probe, calling officials daily for answers.
Gita called her boss a pit bull in meetings, pushing until everyone agreed with her.
- pushover
someone who gives in easily, opposite of a pit bull
用法筆記
Used metaphorically as a compliment or criticism — it suggests strength of will, but can imply the person is overly aggressive or refuses to compromise. Common in sports, business, politics, and law.