pit bull

See also: pitbull, Pitbull, and pit-bull

English

Alternative forms

• pitbull, pit-bull

Etymology

Clipping of pit bull terrier.

Noun

pit bull (plural pit bulls)

1. A pit bull terrier.
2. (figurative, often derogatory) A person with a reputation for pugnacity.

   You don't have to be such a pit bull about it. I was only joking.

   My lawyer is a pit bull — he latches on and doesn't stop until he wins!

   • 1993 July 6, “Profile Israel's Pit Bull of Politics Takes on Jerusalem Mayor”, in Los Angeles Times:

     Ehud Olmert has long been the pit bull of Israel's right-wing Likud Party, always ready to tear into a political foe

Derived terms

• shitbull

Translations

pit bull terrier — see pit bull terrier

Further reading

• “pit bull”, in Collins English Dictionary, 2011–present.
• “pit bull”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “pit bull”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “pit bull”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.