a barking dog seldom bites

proverb People who make themselves appear threatening rarely do any harm. A: "I'm really scared to tell Mr. White that I haven't finished my project. You know how he yells." B: "Yeah, but a barking dog seldom bites. He'll get over it." Sue may be intimidating, but that's just because she has to keep a whole department in line—a barking dog seldom bites. Mr. Stewart may yell a lot, but I doubt he'll do anything to you—a barking dog seldom bites.