that dog won't hunt UK /ðæt ˈdɒɡ wəʊnt ˈhʌnt/US /ðæt ˈdɔɡ woʊnt ˈhʌnt/ phrase1 •(US) That idea will not work; that is an inadequate explanation or proposition."Calling her house help Mr. and Mrs. just won't get it! That old dog won't hunt," Oman had confided. / "I know, but let her discover it herself," Steve had said.] — 1965