go to the dogs

Are you using the idiom go to the dogs but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the go to the dogs idiom and the situations in which it is used.

Meaning of "go to the dogs"

Meaning

The phrase ‘go to the dogs’ is an idiom used to refer to the decline or deterioration of something or someone, typically due to a lack of care or attention. In most cases, the phrase is used to describe the gradual decline in the quality of something over time, but it can also be used in context to refer to the sudden and dramatic fall of an entity. It can be used to refer to physical items, such as a car or house, or to an abstract concept, such as an organization or economy.

Etymology

The phrase ‘go to the dogs’ has its origins in the ancient Greek play by Euripides ‘Cyclops’. In the play, the main character refers to the decline of his fortunes and his home as ‘going to the dogs’. This phrase has since been adopted and is frequently used as a metaphor for decline or deterioration.

Usage

The phrase ‘go to the dogs’ is a fairly common idiom and is often used in everyday conversations. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, with the overall sentiment of expressing decline or deterioration. For example, the phrase ‘the economy has gone to the dogs’ is commonly used to refer to the decline of an economy, while ‘the team went to the dogs after the manager left’ is a phrase used to describe the decline in the quality of a team.

Example Sentences

• “The once thriving company has gone to the dogs since the new management took over.”
• “My car has gone to the dogs since I stopped maintaining it.”
• “The neighbourhood went to the dogs after they built the freeway.”
• “The team went to the dogs after the manager left.”

From Shakespeare to Social Media: The Evolution of English Idioms

English idioms have been around for centuries, with many originating from sources like literature, mythology, and everyday life. Shakespeare, for example, coined many phrases that are still used today, such as "break the ice" and "heart of gold." Over time, new idioms have emerged, with social media and popular culture providing rich sources of inspiration. For instance, the phrase "throwing shade" came into use in the 1990s thanks to ball culture, but has since been popularized by social media.