"went the dogs" is an idiomatic phrase used predominantly in British English. It is a slang expression colloquially referring to something that has gone wrong or deteriorated significantly. The phrase originated from dog racing, specifically greyhound racing, which involves dogs running on a track to compete.
In a literal sense, the phrase suggests that an event or object has gone off-track or fallen into disarray, just as a greyhound race may lose its rhythm when the dogs do not perform as expected. Figuratively, it carries the connotation that a situation or outcome has turned out badly, failed miserably, or become chaotic.
When used in everyday conversation, "went the dogs" is often employed to convey a sense of disappointment, frustration, or exasperation towards a series of unfortunate events or unfavorable outcomes. It is commonly employed to describe a sudden downturn, collapse, or failure of plans, projects, or situations. For example, if someone's carefully organized party ends up being a disaster due to various mishaps, it could be aptly described as having "gone the dogs."
The phrase highlights the unpredictability and uncertain nature of greyhound racing and attempts to draw a parallel between this uncertainty and the chaotic, unforeseen events that may occur in life. Overall, "went the dogs" serves as an expressive and colorful slang term to describe situations that have gone awry or fallen into disarray.
