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Blackbyron Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Help on meanings

hello,

What does "toothless watchdog" mean?

Also what does "riddled with loopholes" mean?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

A "watchdog" often refers to a group or organization that monitors corporations for illegal or unethical conduct. "Toothless" means that the "watchdog" doesn't have the power or authority to arrest or bring legal action against the companies. One example of a toothless watchdog is Greenpeace.

— Vocabfish

  • A "watchdog" often refers to a group or organization that monitors corporations for illegal or unethical conduct.
  • "Toothless" means that the "watchdog" doesn't have the power or authority to arrest or bring legal action against the companies.
  • One example of a toothless watchdog is Greenpeace.
  • "Riddled with loopholes" often refers to a law with defects that enable the law to not be followed.
  • - vocabfish
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2 Answers
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A "watchdog" often refers to a group or organization that monitors corporations for illegal or unethical conduct. "Toothless" means that the "watchdog" doesn't have the power or authority to arrest or bring legal action against the companies. One example of a toothless watchdog is Greenpeace.

"Riddled with loopholes" often refers to a law with defects that enable the law to not be fo
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"watchdog" is presumably used in the sense of a body that monitors the activities of companies or public services and makes sure they operate fairly. "toothless" means that it has no real power. The expression "toothless watchdog" plays on the fact that real watchdogs (i.e. canine animals) usually have (real) sharp teeth.

"riddled with loopholes" means "having numerous loopholes". A "loo
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