Definition

1. 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

1. a poor job; a mess
   • they made a real dog's breakfast of that job