Going to the Dogs: The Downfall of Decorum 🐾
Definition:
Going to the Dogs: To deteriorate; to fall apart or ruin. Clearly, nobody thought highly of dogs back in the day!
Synonyms:
- Going downhill
- Falling apart
- Going South
- Going belly up
Antonyms:
- Thriving
- Flourishing
- On the rise
Similar Expressions:
- “Down the tubes” 🚽
- “Circling the drain” 🌀
- “Going to pot” 🪴
- “In the gutter” 🌧️
Wisdom in Proverbs:
- “Man’s plans are like a dog’s breakfast.” - A messy plan never succeeds.
- “Every dog has its day.” - Even the lowest among us eventually have a chance for triumph.
Quotables:
“In politics, we seem granted an age-old tendency to let things go to the dogs.” – Fictional Politico Pundit R. Foxhound 📰
Literature, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Literature: For insights into the decay of society, check out “1984” by George Orwell 📖.
- Songs: Listen to “The End of the World As We Know It” by R.E.M. 🎸.
- Poetry: “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats – things fall apart; the center cannot hold 📜.
- Movies: “Idiocracy” – a humorous take on the future of societal decline 🎬.
The Quiz Corner
Let’s see if you’re living life in the fast lane or if it’s all going to the dogs.
### Which phrase means the same as 'going to the dogs'?
- [x] Down the tubes
- [ ] Flying to the moon
- [ ] Grilling with pansies
- [ ] Building castles in the air
> **Explanation:** "Down the tubes" is a suitable synonym for "going to the dogs," indicating deterioration or ruin.
### What's the correct idiom for 'deteriorating'?
- [ ] Baking cupcakes
- [ ] Reading banana leaves
- [ ] Climbing trees backwards
- [x] Going to pot
> **Explanation:** "Going to pot" is a colloquial way to say things are falling apart, similar to "going to the dogs."
### True or False: 'Going to the dogs' implies improvement and success
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! It means everything is deteriorating or going downhill.
Until we meet again, remember: avoid letting your vocabulary – and your aspirations – go to the dogs! 🎇
Published by: A. Lotta Laughs 🖋️
Date: October 2, 2023
