Dictionary definition of “throw red meat”

throw red meat

v. to appease, satisfy, rally, or excite one’s (political) supporters. Subjects: United States, Politics

Editorial Note: Usually transitive: throw read meat to the lions, the wolves, the sharks, etc.

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Citations: 1958 Salisbury Times (Maryland) (Oct. 17) “All They Need is Red Meat” p. 6: Will it finally penetrate even the thick heads of rabble-rousers who have been throwing red meat to lions and hyenas that rabble-rousers, themselves, can be turned into red meat? 1973 Nick Thimmesch Sheboygan Press (Mich.) (Jan. 4) “Spiro Agnew Goes Low Key” p. 38: His immediate strategy is to cut down the number of speaking engagements, particularly those fund-raising affairs where he is obligated to throw red meat out for Republicans hungry to feast on those no-good Democrats and other bad guys. 1986 Jack W. Germond, Jules Witcover Seattle Times (Wash.) (Apr. 28) “Linking Libya, Nicaragua—Bad History, Bad Politics” p. A8: Throwing red meat the other night to members of the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank, Reagan said: “I hope every member of Congress will reflect on the fact that the Sandinistas have been training, supporting and directing as well as sheltering terrorists. And, in this sense, they are trying to build a Libya on our doorstep.” 2004 Stephen Koff Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) (July 11) “Senate debates gay marriage ban this week”: The gay-marriage issue could create a minor sideshow to Kerry’s formal nomination and keep the conservative Republican base energized during a time when the national political spotlight will be on Kerry, not Bush. Congressional aides have referred to it as throwing “red meat” to the base.

Posted 13 Jul 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend