Question

Go to the Dogs to decline in looks or health; to be ruined or destroyed; to ruin oneself

Accepted Answer

He used to be a handsome movie star, but now he's gone to the dogs. As far back as the 1500s, food that was not thought 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 ruined, or looked terrible. For a similar phrase, see "gone to pot" (below).

Idiom	Go to the Dogs
Example	He used to be a handsome movie star, but now he's gone to the dogs.
Meaning	to decline in looks or health; to be ruined or destroyed; to ruin oneself
Origin	As far back as the 1500s, food that was not thought 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 ruined, or looked terrible. For a similar phrase, see "gone to pot" (below).

Dogs Handsome Movie Star Decline Health Ruined Destroyed