English
Etymology
Possibly related to an ancient Egyptian (possibly Persian and Middle Eastern also) belief that a pair of dogs - hounds of the Dark Goddess Hekat (Greek: Hecate) guarded the gates to the underworld.
It is said that the body of King Henry VIII was taken to Syon House in Brentford. During the night the coffin popped open, and servants found dogs licking the remains.
In Britain during times when bodies weren't buried or cremated, it is known that bodies were fed to dogs.
Verb
gone to the dogs (goes to the dogs, go to the dogs, going to the dogs)
- idiom To have fallen into disrepair or ruin; to have been stagnant or depreciated.
#: This company has gone to the dogs ever since the CEO was replaced.
Related terms
gone to pot
gone to seed
gone to rack and ruin
See also
ravaged
wasted
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