Definition

1. Noun:
   • A container for leftover food from a restaurant meal: A "doggie bag" is a bag or box provided by a restaurant so that a customer can take home the food they did not finish eating during their meal. The name humorously suggests the food is for the customer's pet dog, though it is typically eaten by people.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The portion was so large, I asked the waiter for a doggie bag.
  • She always takes her leftovers home in a doggie bag.

Advanced Usage

• "Ask for a doggie bag": To request a container for your uneaten food at a restaurant.
  • If you can't finish your steak, don't hesitate to ask for a doggie bag.

Variants and Related Words

• Doggy bag: An alternative, equally common spelling.
• Takeout container / To-go box: More general terms for containers used to take food away from a restaurant, which may or may not be for leftovers from a dine-in meal.

Synonyms

• Leftover bag/box: A more direct term describing its purpose.
• Take-home bag: A neutral term for the container.

Related Idioms

• "For the dog": A humorous or modest expression used when asking for a container for leftovers, implying the food is for a pet rather than for oneself.
  • I couldn't finish this; could you wrap it up for the dog?

Noun

1. a bag for food that a customer did not eat at a restaurant; the transparent pretense is that the food is taken home to feed the customer's dog