dog's breakfast
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A poor job; a mess: "dog's breakfast" is an informal British English idiom describing something that is done very badly, is very untidy, or is in a state of complete disorder and confusion.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The new manager's reorganization plan was a complete dog's breakfast.
- I tried to fix the plumbing myself, but I just made a dog's breakfast of it.
- The report is a dog's breakfast of conflicting data and poor analysis.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in the construction "to make a dog's breakfast of (something)", meaning to do something very badly or to make a mess of it.
- The contractor made a dog's breakfast of the kitchen renovation.
- It can describe abstract concepts (like plans, reports, situations) as well as physical states.
- The political situation in the country is a total dog's breakfast.
Variants and Related Words
- Dog's dinner (noun): A very similar informal British idiom with the same meaning of a mess or a poor job. It can also sometimes imply an overly elaborate or flashy but tasteless appearance.
- He made a real dog's dinner of the presentation.
Synonyms
- Mess: A state of disorder or untidiness.
- Fiasco: A complete failure, especially in a ludicrous or humiliating way.
- Shambles: A state of total disorder.
- Botch: A clumsy or poorly done piece of work.
Related Idioms
- A complete hash: An informal phrase meaning a mess or a botched job.
- He made a complete hash of the negotiations.
- A cock-up (UK, informal): A mistake or blunder.
- The event was a total cock-up from start to finish.
Noun
- a poor job; a mess
- they made a real dog's breakfast of that job