Phrase guide

legal beagle

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌliːɡl̩ ˈbiːɡl̩/
  • General-American: /ˌliɡəl ˈbiɡəl/
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -iːɡəl

1

noun

Meaning 1

A lawyer, specifically one regarded as astute and skilful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • He was a prosecutor before entering private practice and gaining a reputation as a legal beagle.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: legal eagle, Philadelphia lawyer

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From legal + beagle. Beagle was probably chosen for the rhyme and because beagles were traditionally used for hunting hares or rabbits, due to their keen sense of smell and tracking instinct. Compare legal eagle.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pykälänvääntäjä — lawyer, specifically one regarded as astute and skilful
  • Polish: gwiazda palestry — lawyer, specifically one regarded as astute and skilful