The phrase "gone to dogs" is a colloquial expression that means something has deteriorated or become ill-managed. The spelling of this word can be explained phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first sound in "gone" is a voiced velar nasal /ɡɒn/, followed by the long vowel sound o /oʊ/, and a voiced dental fricative /ð/ in "to". Finally, the word "dogs" is pronounced with a voiced alveolar stop /d/, followed by the vowel sound o /ɒ/ and a voiced velar fricative /ɡz/.
The phrase "gone to dogs" is a metaphorical expression used to describe a situation or a place that has deteriorated significantly in terms of quality, value, or standards over a period of time. It suggests a noteworthy decline or degradation, often implying that the object or situation was once much better or ideal. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman cultures, where dogs were considered to be lowly or unclean animals.
In contemporary usage, when something has "gone to dogs," it means that it has become disorganized, corrupt, or lost its former glory and positive attributes. This can be applied to a range of scenarios, such as a once-thriving business that is now struggling, a neighborhood that has become run-down and neglected, or a country whose government has become inefficient and ineffective.
The phrase inherently carries a negative connotation, suggesting a sense of disappointment or regret. When people use the expression, they are expressing a perception of a significant decline or deterioration from a previously desirable state. It often indicates an undesirable transformation that has taken place, where the original benefits or qualities have vanished or been replaced by negative attributes. Overall, the phrase "gone to dogs" serves as a concise way to convey the bleakness and downfall of a certain situation or entity.