Gone to the Dogs: Meaning, History, and More

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: May 2, 2022

If someone uses the phrase "gone to the dogs" you might have no idea what they're talking about. That's totally fine, but it's a good idea to learn about it. You'll probably come across this casual expression again. We've put together a comprehensive guide, so you can understand what "gone to the dogs" means and feel comfortable using it.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “gone to the dogs” mean?

"Gone to the dogs" suggests that something's gotten worse. You might see it used when someone's surprised. Often, when someone says it, they're disappointed, shocked, or angry that things have gotten worse.^{[1]
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Research source} You might hear it in a conversation like this:
- Person 1: "This used to be one of my favorite restaurants. It was one of the fanciest places in town!"
  Person 2: "Well, it looks like the restaurant is struggling.”
  Person 1: "You're right. It's looking pretty shabby. This place has gone to the dogs."

Section 2 of 3:

How do I use “gone to the dogs” in conversation?

1
Describe a place or thing that’s becoming shabby or trashed.^{[2]
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Research source} To use the phrase in this case, you have to know what the place or thing was like in the past. You might use it to describe a location, a store, vehicles, parks, etc.
- For instance, you might say, "I used to take my kids to that park, but since the city stopped maintaining it, it's gone to the dogs."
2
Express your anger or shock at something that's getting worse. People often use the phrase to show disapproval. You've probably heard news anchors use "gone to the dogs" to talk about the struggling economy or a bad political situation.^{[3]
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Research source} Here are a few other examples of ways you could use it:
- "The new leadership has really let the country go to the dogs."
- "The economy went to the dogs after so many people were laid off."
- "Without enough doctors, the healthcare system has gone to the dogs."

Section 3 of 3:

Where did “gone to the dogs” come from?

"Gone to the dogs" may date back to the 16th century. People would throw food that wasn't fit to eat to their dogs. The phrase caught on as a way to say that something was rotten or not as good as it had been.^{[4]
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- Some people argue that the phrase came from China where outcasts had to compete with the dogs for scraps of food.^{[5]
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