What! keep a dog and bark myself?
What! keep a dog and bark myself?
Meaning in plain English
If a task has been properly assigned, let the person responsible perform it. Doing the same work yourself can defeat the purpose of arranging help.
Example
A project lead lets the appointed coordinator send the confirmed schedule instead of sending a competing version to the same participants.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The question imagines keeping a dog for its bark while supplying the bark yourself. It points to unnecessary duplication after responsibility has been given to someone or something suited to the task. In present use, it can challenge a habit of taking over delegated work. Effective delegation still requires clear instructions, enough resources and an appropriate check on the result. The comparison should not reduce workers to animals or imply that a manager has no obligations. Its useful focus is whether interference is replacing a person’s agreed contribution without a good reason.
When to use it
Use it when taking over would duplicate or undermine a clearly assigned task.
Keep in mind
Delegation does not remove responsibility for guidance, support or checking important outcomes.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-03. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 70 · Bark
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗