Phrase guide

wrestle with a pig

verb · 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.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To engage in a struggle with an opponent that benefits from the struggle even without winning it.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • 1957, Barney Glazer's Column, The Loris Sentinel, Feb 13, p4. "Whenever a boisterous and argumentative person cries to draw you into a public discussion or a wrangle, just remember this bit of advice. "Don't wrestle with a pig. You'll get dirty which is exactly what the pig likes."

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.