ɪn ðə ˈdɒɡhaʊs
Animals
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- Inside a shelter for dogs
What does "in the doghouse" mean?
- In trouble or disfavor with someone
- Facing disapproval or punishment
Examples
- I'm in the doghouse for forgetting our anniversary.
- He's been in the doghouse with his wife all week.
- Don't put me in the doghouse—it was an honest mistake!
Origin
From the idea of being banished from the house to sleep with the dog. Made famous in Peter Pan where Mr. Darling sleeps in the doghouse as penance.
How to use it
Often used humorously for minor domestic troubles. Implies temporary disapproval.
Similar expressions
in trouble
in disgrace
in someone's bad books
Opposites
in favor
in good standing
in someone's good graces
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "in the doghouse" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.