Sic ‘Em Mean is an imperative English idiom meaning “attack them” or “go get them”. Originally used as a command to set attack dogs on a target, it has evolved into a popular colloquial phrase used to encourage aggressive effort in sports, business, and everyday competition.
Standard dictionary entries tell you that “sic ’em” is an imperative verb phrase used to incite an attack. While technically correct, that definition completely misses how modern speakers use the term. Nobody at a college football game is asking an actual animal to bite a quarterback.
Understanding “sic ’em” requires looking at its transition from working farmyards to stadium bleachers and office boardrooms.
Core Meaning & Etymology: Where Does “Sic ‘Em” Come From?
The word “sic” in this context is a dialectal variation of the Middle English word “seek”.
When farmers and hunters told a dog to “seek ’em,” regional accents shifted the vocalization into a sharp, punchy “sic ’em”. The hard “S” and sharp “K” sound made it easy for animals to distinguish the command from casual human speech. You May Also Like To Read About What Does Woot Woot Meaning In English…
By the mid-19th century, written records began documenting “sic” as a standalone action verb meaning to set a dog upon someone or something.
Real-World Usage: How People Use “Sic ‘Em” Today
The expression shows up in three primary real-world contexts:
1. Sports & Rallying Cry (Most Common)
In sports, telling an athlete or team to “sic ’em” means urging them to dominate their opposition.
- Baylor University: “Sic ‘Em Bears” is the official rally cry for Baylor Athletics, paired with the iconic “Bear Claw” hand sign.
- Sideline Motivation: A coach telling a linebacker, “Go sic ’em,” before sending him onto the field.
2. Figurative Business & Competitive Contexts
People use “sic ’em” when delegating a tough, high-stakes task to a aggressive negotiator or problem solver.
- “Our lawyer is reviewing the contract now. We’re going to sic him on their legal team.”
- “You see that sales goal? Go sic ’em.”
3. Literal Animal Command
It remains an operational command in working dog, police dog (K9), or guard dog training to command an action.
Common Misunderstandings & Misspellings to Avoid
Because English has multiple homophones for “sic,” people frequently mix up their spellings and contexts.
- “Sick ’em” (Spelling Error): Writing “sick ’em” is a common spelling mistake. While “sick” sounds identical, “sick” refers to illness or slang for something cool. The correct action verb is sic.
[sic]in Writing (Latin Term): Do not confuse the action verb “sic” with the Latin adverb[sic]used in journalism and academia. Brackets around[sic]stand for sic erat scriptum (“thus was it written”), inserted after a quote to show that an error was present in the original source text.
Quick Reference: Mapping the Word “Sic”
| Phrase / Variant | Context | Meaning | Example |
| Sic ’em | Slang / Sports / Command | “Go get them!” or “Attack!” | “Sic ’em, Bears!” |
| Sic (Verb) | Action / Direct Command | To set someone or something upon a target. | “I will sic my legal team on them.” |
[sic] (Latin) | Academic / Editing | “Written exactly as found in source.” | “He said, ‘There [sic] house is nice.'” |
| Sick (Adjective) | Unwell / Modern Slang | Ill, or exceptionally cool. | “That skateboard trick was sick.” |
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Final Takeaway
Whenever you hear or use “sic ’em,” remember that it is an aggressive, high-energy green light to go after a target with full force. Keep the “k” out of the spelling unless you’re talking about being bedridden.
