bird dog

[/bɜːrd dɔːg/]
noun/verbpl: bird dogs
cão de caça; pessoa que busca/persegue; intermediário
1. A hunting dog trained to locate and flush out game birds
The bird dog pointed at the pheasant in the tall grass.
O cão de caça apontou para a perdiz na grama alta.
2. A person who scouts or searches for something or someone, especially in business contexts
He works as a bird dog for the real estate company, finding potential properties.
Ele trabalha como intermediário para a imobiliária, encontrando propriedades em potencial.
3. A person who closely monitors or watches another person's activities or movements
The manager acts as a bird dog, keeping tabs on every employee's productivity.
O gerente age como um vigilante, controlando a produtividade de cada funcionário.
4. To search for or scout out something; to monitor closely
They bird dogged the competitors to understand their strategy.
Eles monitoraram de perto os concorrentes para entender a estratégia deles.
In American English, 'bird dog' originates from hunting culture but has evolved into business slang, particularly in real estate and sales. In Brazilian Portuguese, the literal hunting meaning is well understood, but the figurative business sense is growing in corporate environments, especially with American business influence. The term reflects the dog's natural hunting instinct applied metaphorically to human behavior.
NYC Slang
hustler, scout, informant (depending on context)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
scouttrackerspottermonitorwatchdogpointer

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
cão de caça; pessoa que procura/busca
Most common translation, understood nationwide
Business/Corporate Portuguese
intermediário; buscador
Used in business contexts for scouts or finders
Portugal
cão de caça; espião
Similar usage but 'espião' more common for surveillance meaning
Southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul)
cão de busca; rastreador
Regional hunting terminology variations

Related Words

hunting dogpointerscoutsurveillancereconnaissanceintermediary

Related Idioms & Phrases

bird dog someone - to watch or follow someone closely
bird dog a deal - to scout for business opportunities
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