old-fashioned A person who is extremely talented or capable; the person who does all the work or is responsible for success. Primarily heard in US. In our house, our mother was the whole team and the dog under the wagon—she worked for our keep, kept the house in order, and made sure my brothers and I were always doing our best in school. When it comes to signing the best clients, Samantha is the whole team and the dog under the wagon.