Question

Gone to Pot become ruined; to get worse and worse

Accepted Answer

This was once a beautiful park, but now it's all gone to pot. This idiom from the 1500s originally referred to old or weak animals that couldn't breed, lay eggs, give milk, or pull wagons. They were more useful on the dinner plate than in the barnyard, so they were slaughtered and cooked in a pot. Now we describe anyone or anything as having "gone to pot" if the person or thing has worn out, is in bad shape, or can't do its job properly. Other similar expressions are "go to wrack and ruin" and "go to the dogs."

Idiom	Gone to Pot
Example	This was once a beautiful park, but now it's all gone to pot.
Meaning	become ruined; to get worse and worse
Origin	This idiom from the 1500s originally referred to old or weak animals that couldn't breed, lay eggs, give milk, or pull wagons. They were more useful on the dinner plate than in the barnyard, so they were slaughtered and cooked in a pot. Now we describe anyone or anything as having "gone to pot" if the person or thing has worn out, is in bad shape, or can't do its job properly. Other similar expressions are "go to wrack and ruin" and "go to the dogs."

Pot Worse Beautiful Park Ruined Idiom 1500s Originally