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"Going to the dogs" means going bad. You would say "Man, that shop has really gone to the dogs - I don't even want to go inside any more."
The expression 'gone to the dogs' means that someone or something exhibits very much lower standards than previously or was expected.
Origin: As far back as the 1500s, food that was not thought to be suitable for human consumption was thrown to the dogs. The expression caught on and expanded to include any person or thing that came to a bad end, was ruied, or looked terrible.
To dog means the same as to hound --- since both are dogs. When a dog/hound/wolf or other canine is hunting, it will stay on whatever it's chasing and run after it until it is exhausted. Therefore, to dog or hound means to stay on the trail, to keep after someone, not to give up until something's done.
This expression dates back to the 1600s - its meaning is: 'a life of misery.' The image is of a poorly-treated dog, beaten and starved instead of loved and wanted.
There is no specific idiom that says "cats and dogs." There are a couple that have those words in it -- which one did you mean?
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What does the idiom go to town mean?
Do what ever you want to do.
Is its snowing cats and dogs a idiom?
No, the idiom is only used to refer to rain.
Under what headword would you find the idiom raining cats dogs?
under what headword would you find the idiom raining cats and dogs?
Is the expression following suit an idiom?
no an idiom would be like "it's raining cats and dogs"
What does the idiom need to go on a diet mean?
A person needs to lose weight.
What does the idiom foam in the mouth mean?
It originates from rabies. Rabid dogs foamed at the mouth.
What does the idiom of dog's tail mean?
There isn't an idiom "dog's tail." There are several idioms about dogs and tails, but I'm not sure which one you're thinking of.
What does the idiom go to town mean?
Do what ever you want to do.
What does hit the nail mean idiom?
it means go to sleep
What does the idiom step on lit mean?
It means to go faster
Is its snowing cats and dogs a idiom?
No, the idiom is only used to refer to rain.
Under what headword would you find the idiom raining cats dogs?
under what headword would you find the idiom raining cats and dogs?
What does idiom go out on a limb mean?
it means to take a chance or risk
What does the idiom to go through fire and water for someone or something mean?
This is not an idiom. An idiom is an expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from its elements. To go through fire and water for someone is easily understood to mean to make a special effort and to undergo difficulties for that person's sake.
Idiom of going to the dogs?
The idiom of going to the dogs means that any person or thing has come to a bad end, been ruined, or looks terrible.
Is the expression following suit an idiom?
no an idiom would be like "it's raining cats and dogs"
What does the idiom need to go on a diet mean?
A person needs to lose weight.
