go to the dogs
Related to go to the dogs: put on the dog, You can't teach an old dog new tricks
go to the dogs
To deteriorate or go awry. Boy, this party has really gone to the dogs. First, there was the issue with the caterer, and now half the guests aren't coming.
See also: dog, go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
go to the dogs
see under go to pot.
See also: dog, go
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
go to the dogs
If a country or organization goes to the dogs, it becomes less successful and of worse quality than it was in the past. In the 1960s the country was fast going to the dogs. Television, we warned, would go to the dogs under the Government's crazy franchising system.
See also: dog, go
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
go to the dogs
deteriorate shockingly, especially in behaviour or morals. informalThis idiom derives from the fact that attending greyhound races was once thought likely to expose a person to moral danger and the risk of incurring great financial loss.
1997 Daily Telegraph If you read the English media or watch the cretinosities of television, you would think that the country is going to the dogs.
See also: dog, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
go to the ˈdogs
(American English also go to hell in a ˈhandbasket) (informal) (often used of a company, an organization, a country, etc.) become less powerful, efficient, etc. than before: Many people think this country’s going to the dogs.See also: dog, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
go to the dogs
To go to ruin; degenerate.
See also: dog, go
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- go to pot
- gone to pot
- be coming apart at the seams
- come apart at the seams
- come apart at the seams, to
- come/fall apart at the seams
- fall apart at the seams
- down the tube
- down the tube(s)
- down the tubes