Bark is worse than their bite

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Meaning

Someone's threats or bluster outstrip their actions, loud but harmless.

Origin

From 16th-century England, tied to proverbs; 'his bark is worse than his bite' by 1590 in a play for a loud fool. Dogs, fierce yet tame, fit the bill; a 1651 Howell collection lists it.

Variants

  • Worse than bite

Usage Examples

  • Don't worry; his bark is worse than his bite.
  • Her bark's worse than her bite; she's soft.
  • Bark worse than bite; he won't fight.

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