dog-house

A small dog sleeps inside its dog-house in the backyard.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A shelter for a dog: A small structure, often made of wood or plastic, designed to provide a dog with protection from the elements (e.g., rain, sun, cold).
   • A state of disfavor or trouble (informal, idiomatic): The phrase "in the doghouse" means being in a situation where one has displeased someone, especially a spouse or boss, and is therefore being treated coldly or punished.

Usage Examples

• Noun (literal):

  • The dog slept in his dog-house during the rainstorm. (A small shelter for the dog.)
  • We built a wooden dog-house for our new puppy. (A physical structure for a pet.)

• Idiomatic use:

  • He forgot their anniversary, so now he is in the dog-house with his wife. (He is in a state of disfavor or trouble.)
  • The employee made a major mistake and has been in the dog-house all week. (He is being treated coldly by his boss.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be in the dog-house": to be in disgrace or out of favor.

  • After losing the game, the coach was in the dog-house with the fans. (The fans were displeased with the coach.)

• "to put someone in the dog-house": to cause someone to be in a state of disfavor.

  • She put him in the dog-house for lying about his whereabouts. (She made him suffer her displeasure.)

Variants and Related Words

• Doghouse (n, alternative spelling): The same as "dog-house"; often written as one word in modern usage.

  • The doghouse needs a new roof. (The shelter for the dog.)

• Dog-housing (n, rare): The act of placing a dog in a doghouse, or figuratively, the state of being in disfavor.

  • His constant dog-housing by the boss made him quit. (His constant state of disfavor.)

Synonyms

• Kennel: a small shelter for a dog (often more formal or commercial).
• Dog shelter: a structure for a dog.
• In disgrace: a state of disfavor (idiomatic synonym for "in the doghouse").
• In trouble: a state of being in a difficult situation (similar to being in the doghouse).

Phrasal Verbs

• Doghouse (as a verb, rare): to confine or treat harshly, as if putting in a doghouse.
  • The manager doghoused him for his poor performance. (The manager placed him in a state of disfavor.)

Related Idioms

• In the doghouse: in a state of disfavor or trouble.

  • He's in the doghouse with his parents for breaking the window. (He is being punished or treated coldly.)

• Out of the doghouse: no longer in a state of disfavor.

  • He bought her flowers to get out of the doghouse. (To regain favor after being in trouble.)