Lifted its hind leg on or lifted its hind leg towards?When does the verb “tell” need a preposition and when doesn't it?Russia 'Fired Rockets INTO Ukraine' - BBCBuilding Caught on FireUsage of preposition 'on' with verb like 'catch'Charge straight _____ me ( towards , to , on etc )an average of - what is it - a noun or a preposition?“I already was about TO going class tomorrow morning.”Preposition: … struggles (n) in establishingThe use of “in” or “on” in contextWith whom/who VS who/whom with
Shipped package arrived - didn't order, possible scam?
Question about targeting a Hexproof creature
How do I check that users don't write down their passwords?
n-level Ouroboros Quine
Way to see all encrypted fields in Salesforce?
Why no parachutes in the Orion AA2 abort test?
What's the difference between a type and a kind?
Why did moving the mouse cursor cause Windows 95 to run more quickly?
What's the big deal about the Nazgûl losing their horses?
Machine Learning Golf: Multiplication
How come a desk dictionary be abridged?
Was the 45.9°C temperature in France in June 2019 the highest ever recorded in France?
Can you take the Dodge action while prone?
Did William Shakespeare hide things in his writings?
Sleepy tired vs physically tired
What is the shape of the upper boundary of water hitting a screen?
Why do most airliners have underwing engines, while business jets have rear-mounted engines?
Is it acceptable that I plot a time-series figure with years increasing from right to left?
What is the difference between an "empty interior" and a "hole" in topology?
Do intermediate subdomains need to exist?
Taking advantage when the HR forgets to communicate the rules
A positive integer functional equation
Is it possible to spoof an IP address to an exact number?
Why did Super-VGA offer the 5:4 1280*1024 resolution?
Lifted its hind leg on or lifted its hind leg towards?
When does the verb “tell” need a preposition and when doesn't it?Russia 'Fired Rockets INTO Ukraine' - BBCBuilding Caught on FireUsage of preposition 'on' with verb like 'catch'Charge straight _____ me ( towards , to , on etc )an average of - what is it - a noun or a preposition?“I already was about TO going class tomorrow morning.”Preposition: … struggles (n) in establishingThe use of “in” or “on” in contextWith whom/who VS who/whom with
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
I am not sure I like using the preposition "towards" in this sentence. I prefer "on", because it sounds nice, but I am not sure if it's correct at all. Is it correct? Why?
prepositions
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
add a comment |
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
I am not sure I like using the preposition "towards" in this sentence. I prefer "on", because it sounds nice, but I am not sure if it's correct at all. Is it correct? Why?
prepositions
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
Are you using lift a hind leg as a euphemism for pee? Or did he pee after that? (Seriously) speaking. [note for readers: I mean this seriously, and am not being sarcastic]
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 20:00
Please ignore the top answer and go for at. Towards is okay, but on is really incorrect. It's absolutely unequivocally saying the dog is laying its hind leg on top of the fire hydrant.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:25
3
@person27 - "Lifting a hind leg" is a euphemism for "having a pee", soonis perfectly acceptable in that case. But it is not clear from the limited context whether that is the case here.
– Mike Brockington
Mar 26 at 10:15
@person27 you shouldn't use expressions like "the top answer" to identify an answer here. As people vote, answers move up and down. Also, some people view the answers in a different order from you. It's not clear which answer you're instructing us to ignore. Anyway, "on" is not incorrect - it's a very common idiom, and I am a native speaker.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 27 at 19:26
@DawoodibnKareem Native speaker and first time hearing it. I'd expect a casual conversation to include "my dog peed on the fire hydrant" rather than "my dog lifted a leg on the fire hydrant". Sounds absolutely foreign to me, and seems like a phrase you only see in writing that's never spoken. I have little room to talk though, since I haven't heard it, so I'll defer to more experience judgment.
– person27
Mar 29 at 4:38
add a comment |
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
I am not sure I like using the preposition "towards" in this sentence. I prefer "on", because it sounds nice, but I am not sure if it's correct at all. Is it correct? Why?
prepositions
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
I am not sure I like using the preposition "towards" in this sentence. I prefer "on", because it sounds nice, but I am not sure if it's correct at all. Is it correct? Why?
prepositions
prepositions
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
edited Mar 25 at 19:43
ColleenV♦
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
10.8k5 gold badges32 silver badges64 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
asked Mar 25 at 15:49
tefisjbtefisjb
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
5283 silver badges15 bronze badges
Are you using lift a hind leg as a euphemism for pee? Or did he pee after that? (Seriously) speaking. [note for readers: I mean this seriously, and am not being sarcastic]
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 20:00
Please ignore the top answer and go for at. Towards is okay, but on is really incorrect. It's absolutely unequivocally saying the dog is laying its hind leg on top of the fire hydrant.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:25
3
@person27 - "Lifting a hind leg" is a euphemism for "having a pee", soonis perfectly acceptable in that case. But it is not clear from the limited context whether that is the case here.
– Mike Brockington
Mar 26 at 10:15
@person27 you shouldn't use expressions like "the top answer" to identify an answer here. As people vote, answers move up and down. Also, some people view the answers in a different order from you. It's not clear which answer you're instructing us to ignore. Anyway, "on" is not incorrect - it's a very common idiom, and I am a native speaker.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 27 at 19:26
@DawoodibnKareem Native speaker and first time hearing it. I'd expect a casual conversation to include "my dog peed on the fire hydrant" rather than "my dog lifted a leg on the fire hydrant". Sounds absolutely foreign to me, and seems like a phrase you only see in writing that's never spoken. I have little room to talk though, since I haven't heard it, so I'll defer to more experience judgment.
– person27
Mar 29 at 4:38
add a comment |
Are you using lift a hind leg as a euphemism for pee? Or did he pee after that? (Seriously) speaking. [note for readers: I mean this seriously, and am not being sarcastic]
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 20:00
Please ignore the top answer and go for at. Towards is okay, but on is really incorrect. It's absolutely unequivocally saying the dog is laying its hind leg on top of the fire hydrant.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:25
3
@person27 - "Lifting a hind leg" is a euphemism for "having a pee", soonis perfectly acceptable in that case. But it is not clear from the limited context whether that is the case here.
– Mike Brockington
Mar 26 at 10:15
@person27 you shouldn't use expressions like "the top answer" to identify an answer here. As people vote, answers move up and down. Also, some people view the answers in a different order from you. It's not clear which answer you're instructing us to ignore. Anyway, "on" is not incorrect - it's a very common idiom, and I am a native speaker.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 27 at 19:26
@DawoodibnKareem Native speaker and first time hearing it. I'd expect a casual conversation to include "my dog peed on the fire hydrant" rather than "my dog lifted a leg on the fire hydrant". Sounds absolutely foreign to me, and seems like a phrase you only see in writing that's never spoken. I have little room to talk though, since I haven't heard it, so I'll defer to more experience judgment.
– person27
Mar 29 at 4:38
Are you using lift a hind leg as a euphemism for pee? Or did he pee after that? (Seriously) speaking. [note for readers: I mean this seriously, and am not being sarcastic]
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 20:00
Are you using lift a hind leg as a euphemism for pee? Or did he pee after that? (Seriously) speaking. [note for readers: I mean this seriously, and am not being sarcastic]
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 20:00
Please ignore the top answer and go for at. Towards is okay, but on is really incorrect. It's absolutely unequivocally saying the dog is laying its hind leg on top of the fire hydrant.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:25
Please ignore the top answer and go for at. Towards is okay, but on is really incorrect. It's absolutely unequivocally saying the dog is laying its hind leg on top of the fire hydrant.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:25
3
3
@person27 - "Lifting a hind leg" is a euphemism for "having a pee", so
on is perfectly acceptable in that case. But it is not clear from the limited context whether that is the case here.– Mike Brockington
Mar 26 at 10:15
@person27 - "Lifting a hind leg" is a euphemism for "having a pee", so
on is perfectly acceptable in that case. But it is not clear from the limited context whether that is the case here.– Mike Brockington
Mar 26 at 10:15
@person27 you shouldn't use expressions like "the top answer" to identify an answer here. As people vote, answers move up and down. Also, some people view the answers in a different order from you. It's not clear which answer you're instructing us to ignore. Anyway, "on" is not incorrect - it's a very common idiom, and I am a native speaker.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 27 at 19:26
@person27 you shouldn't use expressions like "the top answer" to identify an answer here. As people vote, answers move up and down. Also, some people view the answers in a different order from you. It's not clear which answer you're instructing us to ignore. Anyway, "on" is not incorrect - it's a very common idiom, and I am a native speaker.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 27 at 19:26
@DawoodibnKareem Native speaker and first time hearing it. I'd expect a casual conversation to include "my dog peed on the fire hydrant" rather than "my dog lifted a leg on the fire hydrant". Sounds absolutely foreign to me, and seems like a phrase you only see in writing that's never spoken. I have little room to talk though, since I haven't heard it, so I'll defer to more experience judgment.
– person27
Mar 29 at 4:38
@DawoodibnKareem Native speaker and first time hearing it. I'd expect a casual conversation to include "my dog peed on the fire hydrant" rather than "my dog lifted a leg on the fire hydrant". Sounds absolutely foreign to me, and seems like a phrase you only see in writing that's never spoken. I have little room to talk though, since I haven't heard it, so I'll defer to more experience judgment.
– person27
Mar 29 at 4:38
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
I think an aspect of this that @Wilson is missing is that a dog "lifting its leg" is usually used as a euphemism for a male dog urinating [on something].
In my experience in this 'non literal' context, it takes the same preposition logically as 'urinate' would take.
The dog urinated on the fire hydrant.
The dog lifted his leg on the fire hydrant.
When I read the example "The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant" it seemed very strange to me. It sounded like the dog literally lifted his leg and placed it on top of the hydrant.
"Lifted his leg towards" sounds like the dog is saluting the fire hydrant.
So, to me, as someone whose male dog spends a lot of time lifting his leg on things in my company, "to lift his leg on" is the most natural choice.
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
Let's see if this joke flies. Damn, fred2, doesn't your dog just pee? I agree about the placement thing. [guffaw]. You're a born comedian what with the lifting and saluting. :)
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 19:58
for me, the lift his leg means to pee. However, there is also the problem of aiming....
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:41
add a comment |
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
The leg is now nearer to the fire hydrant than before, or nearer than the other parts of the dog. This is what dogs usually do when they want to mark their territory by leaving their smells behind. Peeing in other words.
The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant.
The leg is now resting on the fire hydrant, so that the dog is possibly standing with three legs on the pavement and one leg somehow on top of the fire hydrant. It's not what dogs usually do.
The dog lifted its hind leg on the fire hydrant
It's occurred to me that on has a markedly rarer meaning as a malefactive. Something like "He hung up on me!" means "he ended the phone call to my detriment, or against my will or interest". In that way, the dog lifting its leg on the fire hydrant sounds odd to me, but I'll accept it.
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
"The dog lifted its hind leg towards onto fire hydrant." does not make sense as written, did you mean "The dog lifted its hind leg onto fire hydrant."
– firedraco
Mar 25 at 16:26
Any other way of saying "The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant"?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:52
@tefisjb I'm sure there are. See if you can think of one. What you come up with will completely depend on what you want to say.
– Wilson
Mar 25 at 16:54
lifted its hind leg at?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:56
1
Sorry, no. I can't imagine a dog lifting a leg onto a fire hydrant. It would have to be some kind of contortionist. A dog lifting a leg on a fire hydrant just means it urinated. This makes sense. So definitely, use on, not onto in this sentence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 1:23
|
show 4 more comments
At is for places:
The dog lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant or when he got to the fire hydrant.
On and in do not work here.
Dogs generally just aim at the hydrant. They aim at the fire hydrant and hit the side of it, not the top. So on is out. Unless you have a really big dog.
So lifted at can be understood as aiming and peeing. Or it can mean that is the place where he lifted his hind leg.
Like: We stopped at the house for a cup of tea. :)
OK:
The scientists found that when away from their home area, these dogs were more likely to urinate frequently and aim their urine at objects in comparison to when they were walked close to home. The authors concluded “urination in female dogs does not function solely in elimination, but that it also has a significant role in scent marking…”
peeing positions and what they mean, by vets
When they pee, the urine may fall on the object, nevertheless, they pee at an object like a fire hydrant or tree.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
This is the only really correct answer thus far.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:22
No, "lifted his leg on" or "lifted his hind leg on" is a fairly common idiom. It means "urinated on". This answer is incorrect.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 19:26
He peed on the firehydrant. He lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant. Like aiming at, which is what dogs are actually doing...
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:36
add a comment |
A non-native English speaker, I often have to rely solely on the usage examples from original English language pieces of literary work and dictionaries; so looking for examples, I came across
The dog lifted its leg against the lamp..
And here's the example of using the preposition on in the context of a male dog preparing to pee.
That said, I absolutely agree on using the preposition "on" and can't but agree on the preposition "at" suggested in the answer and approved of in the comment on it, both being provided by native English speakers. At the same time, the other suggestions are well worth being taken note of, as quite possible alternatives.
As a side note, "hind" seems to be redundant, logically, in such a situation (IMHO)
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
1
You are right, 'hind' is redundant.
– fred2
Mar 26 at 16:22
@fred2 In front are the paws. You don't ask a dog to give you its front leg, do you?
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 16:30
Yes, but I still say the idea is at an object, rather than on it. So, the underlying idea is aim at. They do, after all, take aim. –
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:50
@Lambie And I absolutely agree with you, having mentioned your answer, which I'd accept were I the OP.
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 21:30
I am such a stupid nutter. Sorry about that. I misread....:(
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:34
|
show 2 more comments
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "481"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f202312%2flifted-its-hind-leg-on-or-lifted-its-hind-leg-towards%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I think an aspect of this that @Wilson is missing is that a dog "lifting its leg" is usually used as a euphemism for a male dog urinating [on something].
In my experience in this 'non literal' context, it takes the same preposition logically as 'urinate' would take.
The dog urinated on the fire hydrant.
The dog lifted his leg on the fire hydrant.
When I read the example "The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant" it seemed very strange to me. It sounded like the dog literally lifted his leg and placed it on top of the hydrant.
"Lifted his leg towards" sounds like the dog is saluting the fire hydrant.
So, to me, as someone whose male dog spends a lot of time lifting his leg on things in my company, "to lift his leg on" is the most natural choice.
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
Let's see if this joke flies. Damn, fred2, doesn't your dog just pee? I agree about the placement thing. [guffaw]. You're a born comedian what with the lifting and saluting. :)
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 19:58
for me, the lift his leg means to pee. However, there is also the problem of aiming....
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:41
add a comment |
I think an aspect of this that @Wilson is missing is that a dog "lifting its leg" is usually used as a euphemism for a male dog urinating [on something].
In my experience in this 'non literal' context, it takes the same preposition logically as 'urinate' would take.
The dog urinated on the fire hydrant.
The dog lifted his leg on the fire hydrant.
When I read the example "The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant" it seemed very strange to me. It sounded like the dog literally lifted his leg and placed it on top of the hydrant.
"Lifted his leg towards" sounds like the dog is saluting the fire hydrant.
So, to me, as someone whose male dog spends a lot of time lifting his leg on things in my company, "to lift his leg on" is the most natural choice.
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
Let's see if this joke flies. Damn, fred2, doesn't your dog just pee? I agree about the placement thing. [guffaw]. You're a born comedian what with the lifting and saluting. :)
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 19:58
for me, the lift his leg means to pee. However, there is also the problem of aiming....
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:41
add a comment |
I think an aspect of this that @Wilson is missing is that a dog "lifting its leg" is usually used as a euphemism for a male dog urinating [on something].
In my experience in this 'non literal' context, it takes the same preposition logically as 'urinate' would take.
The dog urinated on the fire hydrant.
The dog lifted his leg on the fire hydrant.
When I read the example "The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant" it seemed very strange to me. It sounded like the dog literally lifted his leg and placed it on top of the hydrant.
"Lifted his leg towards" sounds like the dog is saluting the fire hydrant.
So, to me, as someone whose male dog spends a lot of time lifting his leg on things in my company, "to lift his leg on" is the most natural choice.
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
I think an aspect of this that @Wilson is missing is that a dog "lifting its leg" is usually used as a euphemism for a male dog urinating [on something].
In my experience in this 'non literal' context, it takes the same preposition logically as 'urinate' would take.
The dog urinated on the fire hydrant.
The dog lifted his leg on the fire hydrant.
When I read the example "The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant" it seemed very strange to me. It sounded like the dog literally lifted his leg and placed it on top of the hydrant.
"Lifted his leg towards" sounds like the dog is saluting the fire hydrant.
So, to me, as someone whose male dog spends a lot of time lifting his leg on things in my company, "to lift his leg on" is the most natural choice.
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 19:14
fred2fred2
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
4,57510 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
Let's see if this joke flies. Damn, fred2, doesn't your dog just pee? I agree about the placement thing. [guffaw]. You're a born comedian what with the lifting and saluting. :)
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 19:58
for me, the lift his leg means to pee. However, there is also the problem of aiming....
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:41
add a comment |
1
Let's see if this joke flies. Damn, fred2, doesn't your dog just pee? I agree about the placement thing. [guffaw]. You're a born comedian what with the lifting and saluting. :)
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 19:58
for me, the lift his leg means to pee. However, there is also the problem of aiming....
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:41
1
1
Let's see if this joke flies. Damn, fred2, doesn't your dog just pee? I agree about the placement thing. [guffaw]. You're a born comedian what with the lifting and saluting. :)
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 19:58
Let's see if this joke flies. Damn, fred2, doesn't your dog just pee? I agree about the placement thing. [guffaw]. You're a born comedian what with the lifting and saluting. :)
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 19:58
for me, the lift his leg means to pee. However, there is also the problem of aiming....
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:41
for me, the lift his leg means to pee. However, there is also the problem of aiming....
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:41
add a comment |
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
The leg is now nearer to the fire hydrant than before, or nearer than the other parts of the dog. This is what dogs usually do when they want to mark their territory by leaving their smells behind. Peeing in other words.
The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant.
The leg is now resting on the fire hydrant, so that the dog is possibly standing with three legs on the pavement and one leg somehow on top of the fire hydrant. It's not what dogs usually do.
The dog lifted its hind leg on the fire hydrant
It's occurred to me that on has a markedly rarer meaning as a malefactive. Something like "He hung up on me!" means "he ended the phone call to my detriment, or against my will or interest". In that way, the dog lifting its leg on the fire hydrant sounds odd to me, but I'll accept it.
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
"The dog lifted its hind leg towards onto fire hydrant." does not make sense as written, did you mean "The dog lifted its hind leg onto fire hydrant."
– firedraco
Mar 25 at 16:26
Any other way of saying "The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant"?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:52
@tefisjb I'm sure there are. See if you can think of one. What you come up with will completely depend on what you want to say.
– Wilson
Mar 25 at 16:54
lifted its hind leg at?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:56
1
Sorry, no. I can't imagine a dog lifting a leg onto a fire hydrant. It would have to be some kind of contortionist. A dog lifting a leg on a fire hydrant just means it urinated. This makes sense. So definitely, use on, not onto in this sentence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 1:23
|
show 4 more comments
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
The leg is now nearer to the fire hydrant than before, or nearer than the other parts of the dog. This is what dogs usually do when they want to mark their territory by leaving their smells behind. Peeing in other words.
The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant.
The leg is now resting on the fire hydrant, so that the dog is possibly standing with three legs on the pavement and one leg somehow on top of the fire hydrant. It's not what dogs usually do.
The dog lifted its hind leg on the fire hydrant
It's occurred to me that on has a markedly rarer meaning as a malefactive. Something like "He hung up on me!" means "he ended the phone call to my detriment, or against my will or interest". In that way, the dog lifting its leg on the fire hydrant sounds odd to me, but I'll accept it.
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
"The dog lifted its hind leg towards onto fire hydrant." does not make sense as written, did you mean "The dog lifted its hind leg onto fire hydrant."
– firedraco
Mar 25 at 16:26
Any other way of saying "The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant"?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:52
@tefisjb I'm sure there are. See if you can think of one. What you come up with will completely depend on what you want to say.
– Wilson
Mar 25 at 16:54
lifted its hind leg at?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:56
1
Sorry, no. I can't imagine a dog lifting a leg onto a fire hydrant. It would have to be some kind of contortionist. A dog lifting a leg on a fire hydrant just means it urinated. This makes sense. So definitely, use on, not onto in this sentence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 1:23
|
show 4 more comments
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
The leg is now nearer to the fire hydrant than before, or nearer than the other parts of the dog. This is what dogs usually do when they want to mark their territory by leaving their smells behind. Peeing in other words.
The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant.
The leg is now resting on the fire hydrant, so that the dog is possibly standing with three legs on the pavement and one leg somehow on top of the fire hydrant. It's not what dogs usually do.
The dog lifted its hind leg on the fire hydrant
It's occurred to me that on has a markedly rarer meaning as a malefactive. Something like "He hung up on me!" means "he ended the phone call to my detriment, or against my will or interest". In that way, the dog lifting its leg on the fire hydrant sounds odd to me, but I'll accept it.
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant.
The leg is now nearer to the fire hydrant than before, or nearer than the other parts of the dog. This is what dogs usually do when they want to mark their territory by leaving their smells behind. Peeing in other words.
The dog lifted its hind leg onto the fire hydrant.
The leg is now resting on the fire hydrant, so that the dog is possibly standing with three legs on the pavement and one leg somehow on top of the fire hydrant. It's not what dogs usually do.
The dog lifted its hind leg on the fire hydrant
It's occurred to me that on has a markedly rarer meaning as a malefactive. Something like "He hung up on me!" means "he ended the phone call to my detriment, or against my will or interest". In that way, the dog lifting its leg on the fire hydrant sounds odd to me, but I'll accept it.
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
edited Mar 26 at 10:45
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 16:00
WilsonWilson
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
1,1613 silver badges13 bronze badges
"The dog lifted its hind leg towards onto fire hydrant." does not make sense as written, did you mean "The dog lifted its hind leg onto fire hydrant."
– firedraco
Mar 25 at 16:26
Any other way of saying "The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant"?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:52
@tefisjb I'm sure there are. See if you can think of one. What you come up with will completely depend on what you want to say.
– Wilson
Mar 25 at 16:54
lifted its hind leg at?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:56
1
Sorry, no. I can't imagine a dog lifting a leg onto a fire hydrant. It would have to be some kind of contortionist. A dog lifting a leg on a fire hydrant just means it urinated. This makes sense. So definitely, use on, not onto in this sentence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 1:23
|
show 4 more comments
"The dog lifted its hind leg towards onto fire hydrant." does not make sense as written, did you mean "The dog lifted its hind leg onto fire hydrant."
– firedraco
Mar 25 at 16:26
Any other way of saying "The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant"?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:52
@tefisjb I'm sure there are. See if you can think of one. What you come up with will completely depend on what you want to say.
– Wilson
Mar 25 at 16:54
lifted its hind leg at?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:56
1
Sorry, no. I can't imagine a dog lifting a leg onto a fire hydrant. It would have to be some kind of contortionist. A dog lifting a leg on a fire hydrant just means it urinated. This makes sense. So definitely, use on, not onto in this sentence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 1:23
"The dog lifted its hind leg towards onto fire hydrant." does not make sense as written, did you mean "The dog lifted its hind leg onto fire hydrant."
– firedraco
Mar 25 at 16:26
"The dog lifted its hind leg towards onto fire hydrant." does not make sense as written, did you mean "The dog lifted its hind leg onto fire hydrant."
– firedraco
Mar 25 at 16:26
Any other way of saying "The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant"?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:52
Any other way of saying "The dog lifted its hind leg towards the fire hydrant"?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:52
@tefisjb I'm sure there are. See if you can think of one. What you come up with will completely depend on what you want to say.
– Wilson
Mar 25 at 16:54
@tefisjb I'm sure there are. See if you can think of one. What you come up with will completely depend on what you want to say.
– Wilson
Mar 25 at 16:54
lifted its hind leg at?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:56
lifted its hind leg at?
– tefisjb
Mar 25 at 16:56
1
1
Sorry, no. I can't imagine a dog lifting a leg onto a fire hydrant. It would have to be some kind of contortionist. A dog lifting a leg on a fire hydrant just means it urinated. This makes sense. So definitely, use on, not onto in this sentence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 1:23
Sorry, no. I can't imagine a dog lifting a leg onto a fire hydrant. It would have to be some kind of contortionist. A dog lifting a leg on a fire hydrant just means it urinated. This makes sense. So definitely, use on, not onto in this sentence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 1:23
|
show 4 more comments
At is for places:
The dog lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant or when he got to the fire hydrant.
On and in do not work here.
Dogs generally just aim at the hydrant. They aim at the fire hydrant and hit the side of it, not the top. So on is out. Unless you have a really big dog.
So lifted at can be understood as aiming and peeing. Or it can mean that is the place where he lifted his hind leg.
Like: We stopped at the house for a cup of tea. :)
OK:
The scientists found that when away from their home area, these dogs were more likely to urinate frequently and aim their urine at objects in comparison to when they were walked close to home. The authors concluded “urination in female dogs does not function solely in elimination, but that it also has a significant role in scent marking…”
peeing positions and what they mean, by vets
When they pee, the urine may fall on the object, nevertheless, they pee at an object like a fire hydrant or tree.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
This is the only really correct answer thus far.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:22
No, "lifted his leg on" or "lifted his hind leg on" is a fairly common idiom. It means "urinated on". This answer is incorrect.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 19:26
He peed on the firehydrant. He lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant. Like aiming at, which is what dogs are actually doing...
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:36
add a comment |
At is for places:
The dog lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant or when he got to the fire hydrant.
On and in do not work here.
Dogs generally just aim at the hydrant. They aim at the fire hydrant and hit the side of it, not the top. So on is out. Unless you have a really big dog.
So lifted at can be understood as aiming and peeing. Or it can mean that is the place where he lifted his hind leg.
Like: We stopped at the house for a cup of tea. :)
OK:
The scientists found that when away from their home area, these dogs were more likely to urinate frequently and aim their urine at objects in comparison to when they were walked close to home. The authors concluded “urination in female dogs does not function solely in elimination, but that it also has a significant role in scent marking…”
peeing positions and what they mean, by vets
When they pee, the urine may fall on the object, nevertheless, they pee at an object like a fire hydrant or tree.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
This is the only really correct answer thus far.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:22
No, "lifted his leg on" or "lifted his hind leg on" is a fairly common idiom. It means "urinated on". This answer is incorrect.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 19:26
He peed on the firehydrant. He lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant. Like aiming at, which is what dogs are actually doing...
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:36
add a comment |
At is for places:
The dog lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant or when he got to the fire hydrant.
On and in do not work here.
Dogs generally just aim at the hydrant. They aim at the fire hydrant and hit the side of it, not the top. So on is out. Unless you have a really big dog.
So lifted at can be understood as aiming and peeing. Or it can mean that is the place where he lifted his hind leg.
Like: We stopped at the house for a cup of tea. :)
OK:
The scientists found that when away from their home area, these dogs were more likely to urinate frequently and aim their urine at objects in comparison to when they were walked close to home. The authors concluded “urination in female dogs does not function solely in elimination, but that it also has a significant role in scent marking…”
peeing positions and what they mean, by vets
When they pee, the urine may fall on the object, nevertheless, they pee at an object like a fire hydrant or tree.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
At is for places:
The dog lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant or when he got to the fire hydrant.
On and in do not work here.
Dogs generally just aim at the hydrant. They aim at the fire hydrant and hit the side of it, not the top. So on is out. Unless you have a really big dog.
So lifted at can be understood as aiming and peeing. Or it can mean that is the place where he lifted his hind leg.
Like: We stopped at the house for a cup of tea. :)
OK:
The scientists found that when away from their home area, these dogs were more likely to urinate frequently and aim their urine at objects in comparison to when they were walked close to home. The authors concluded “urination in female dogs does not function solely in elimination, but that it also has a significant role in scent marking…”
peeing positions and what they mean, by vets
When they pee, the urine may fall on the object, nevertheless, they pee at an object like a fire hydrant or tree.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
edited Mar 26 at 19:49
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
LambieLambie
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
20k16 silver badges45 bronze badges
This is the only really correct answer thus far.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:22
No, "lifted his leg on" or "lifted his hind leg on" is a fairly common idiom. It means "urinated on". This answer is incorrect.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 19:26
He peed on the firehydrant. He lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant. Like aiming at, which is what dogs are actually doing...
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:36
add a comment |
This is the only really correct answer thus far.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:22
No, "lifted his leg on" or "lifted his hind leg on" is a fairly common idiom. It means "urinated on". This answer is incorrect.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 19:26
He peed on the firehydrant. He lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant. Like aiming at, which is what dogs are actually doing...
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:36
This is the only really correct answer thus far.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:22
This is the only really correct answer thus far.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:22
No, "lifted his leg on" or "lifted his hind leg on" is a fairly common idiom. It means "urinated on". This answer is incorrect.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 19:26
No, "lifted his leg on" or "lifted his hind leg on" is a fairly common idiom. It means "urinated on". This answer is incorrect.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 26 at 19:26
He peed on the firehydrant. He lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant. Like aiming at, which is what dogs are actually doing...
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:36
He peed on the firehydrant. He lifted his hind leg at the fire hydrant. Like aiming at, which is what dogs are actually doing...
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:36
add a comment |
A non-native English speaker, I often have to rely solely on the usage examples from original English language pieces of literary work and dictionaries; so looking for examples, I came across
The dog lifted its leg against the lamp..
And here's the example of using the preposition on in the context of a male dog preparing to pee.
That said, I absolutely agree on using the preposition "on" and can't but agree on the preposition "at" suggested in the answer and approved of in the comment on it, both being provided by native English speakers. At the same time, the other suggestions are well worth being taken note of, as quite possible alternatives.
As a side note, "hind" seems to be redundant, logically, in such a situation (IMHO)
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
1
You are right, 'hind' is redundant.
– fred2
Mar 26 at 16:22
@fred2 In front are the paws. You don't ask a dog to give you its front leg, do you?
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 16:30
Yes, but I still say the idea is at an object, rather than on it. So, the underlying idea is aim at. They do, after all, take aim. –
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:50
@Lambie And I absolutely agree with you, having mentioned your answer, which I'd accept were I the OP.
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 21:30
I am such a stupid nutter. Sorry about that. I misread....:(
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:34
|
show 2 more comments
A non-native English speaker, I often have to rely solely on the usage examples from original English language pieces of literary work and dictionaries; so looking for examples, I came across
The dog lifted its leg against the lamp..
And here's the example of using the preposition on in the context of a male dog preparing to pee.
That said, I absolutely agree on using the preposition "on" and can't but agree on the preposition "at" suggested in the answer and approved of in the comment on it, both being provided by native English speakers. At the same time, the other suggestions are well worth being taken note of, as quite possible alternatives.
As a side note, "hind" seems to be redundant, logically, in such a situation (IMHO)
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
1
You are right, 'hind' is redundant.
– fred2
Mar 26 at 16:22
@fred2 In front are the paws. You don't ask a dog to give you its front leg, do you?
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 16:30
Yes, but I still say the idea is at an object, rather than on it. So, the underlying idea is aim at. They do, after all, take aim. –
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:50
@Lambie And I absolutely agree with you, having mentioned your answer, which I'd accept were I the OP.
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 21:30
I am such a stupid nutter. Sorry about that. I misread....:(
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:34
|
show 2 more comments
A non-native English speaker, I often have to rely solely on the usage examples from original English language pieces of literary work and dictionaries; so looking for examples, I came across
The dog lifted its leg against the lamp..
And here's the example of using the preposition on in the context of a male dog preparing to pee.
That said, I absolutely agree on using the preposition "on" and can't but agree on the preposition "at" suggested in the answer and approved of in the comment on it, both being provided by native English speakers. At the same time, the other suggestions are well worth being taken note of, as quite possible alternatives.
As a side note, "hind" seems to be redundant, logically, in such a situation (IMHO)
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
A non-native English speaker, I often have to rely solely on the usage examples from original English language pieces of literary work and dictionaries; so looking for examples, I came across
The dog lifted its leg against the lamp..
And here's the example of using the preposition on in the context of a male dog preparing to pee.
That said, I absolutely agree on using the preposition "on" and can't but agree on the preposition "at" suggested in the answer and approved of in the comment on it, both being provided by native English speakers. At the same time, the other suggestions are well worth being taken note of, as quite possible alternatives.
As a side note, "hind" seems to be redundant, logically, in such a situation (IMHO)
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
edited Mar 26 at 10:58
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
answered Mar 25 at 20:58
RompeyRompey
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
6,6462 gold badges25 silver badges68 bronze badges
1
You are right, 'hind' is redundant.
– fred2
Mar 26 at 16:22
@fred2 In front are the paws. You don't ask a dog to give you its front leg, do you?
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 16:30
Yes, but I still say the idea is at an object, rather than on it. So, the underlying idea is aim at. They do, after all, take aim. –
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:50
@Lambie And I absolutely agree with you, having mentioned your answer, which I'd accept were I the OP.
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 21:30
I am such a stupid nutter. Sorry about that. I misread....:(
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:34
|
show 2 more comments
1
You are right, 'hind' is redundant.
– fred2
Mar 26 at 16:22
@fred2 In front are the paws. You don't ask a dog to give you its front leg, do you?
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 16:30
Yes, but I still say the idea is at an object, rather than on it. So, the underlying idea is aim at. They do, after all, take aim. –
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:50
@Lambie And I absolutely agree with you, having mentioned your answer, which I'd accept were I the OP.
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 21:30
I am such a stupid nutter. Sorry about that. I misread....:(
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:34
1
1
You are right, 'hind' is redundant.
– fred2
Mar 26 at 16:22
You are right, 'hind' is redundant.
– fred2
Mar 26 at 16:22
@fred2 In front are the paws. You don't ask a dog to give you its front leg, do you?
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 16:30
@fred2 In front are the paws. You don't ask a dog to give you its front leg, do you?
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 16:30
Yes, but I still say the idea is at an object, rather than on it. So, the underlying idea is aim at. They do, after all, take aim. –
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:50
Yes, but I still say the idea is at an object, rather than on it. So, the underlying idea is aim at. They do, after all, take aim. –
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 19:50
@Lambie And I absolutely agree with you, having mentioned your answer, which I'd accept were I the OP.
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 21:30
@Lambie And I absolutely agree with you, having mentioned your answer, which I'd accept were I the OP.
– Rompey
Mar 26 at 21:30
I am such a stupid nutter. Sorry about that. I misread....:(
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:34
I am such a stupid nutter. Sorry about that. I misread....:(
– Lambie
Mar 26 at 21:34
|
show 2 more comments
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f202312%2flifted-its-hind-leg-on-or-lifted-its-hind-leg-towards%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Are you using lift a hind leg as a euphemism for pee? Or did he pee after that? (Seriously) speaking. [note for readers: I mean this seriously, and am not being sarcastic]
– Lambie
Mar 25 at 20:00
Please ignore the top answer and go for at. Towards is okay, but on is really incorrect. It's absolutely unequivocally saying the dog is laying its hind leg on top of the fire hydrant.
– person27
Mar 26 at 4:25
3
@person27 - "Lifting a hind leg" is a euphemism for "having a pee", so
onis perfectly acceptable in that case. But it is not clear from the limited context whether that is the case here.– Mike Brockington
Mar 26 at 10:15
@person27 you shouldn't use expressions like "the top answer" to identify an answer here. As people vote, answers move up and down. Also, some people view the answers in a different order from you. It's not clear which answer you're instructing us to ignore. Anyway, "on" is not incorrect - it's a very common idiom, and I am a native speaker.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Mar 27 at 19:26
@DawoodibnKareem Native speaker and first time hearing it. I'd expect a casual conversation to include "my dog peed on the fire hydrant" rather than "my dog lifted a leg on the fire hydrant". Sounds absolutely foreign to me, and seems like a phrase you only see in writing that's never spoken. I have little room to talk though, since I haven't heard it, so I'll defer to more experience judgment.
– person27
Mar 29 at 4:38