doghouse
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A small outdoor shelter for a dog: A simple structure, often a wooden kennel, designed to provide a dog with protection from the weather.
- A state of disfavor or disgrace: An idiomatic term describing the condition of someone who has done something wrong and is experiencing anger, disapproval, or temporary rejection from another person, often a partner or family member.
Examples
Noun (Physical Shelter):
- We built a new doghouse for our Labrador.
- The doghouse in the backyard has a sloped roof to shed rain.
Noun (Idiomatic State of Disfavor):
- After forgetting our anniversary, I'm in the doghouse with my wife.
- He's been in the doghouse ever since he crashed the car.
Advanced Usage
- "to be in the doghouse": To be in a state of temporary disfavor, typically with a loved one.
- I'm definitely in the doghouse for eating the last piece of cake.
- "to put someone in the doghouse": To cause someone to fall into disfavor.
- His thoughtless comment put him in the doghouse for a week.
Variants and Related Words
- Kennel (n): A shelter for a dog or cat; can also refer to a commercial establishment where pets are boarded.
- We left our dog at a kennel while on vacation.
- Doghouse is typically written as one word. The idiomatic phrase is almost always "in the doghouse."
Synonyms
- Out of favor: Not approved of or liked at the moment.
- In trouble: Experiencing difficulty or punishment due to a misdeed.
- In disgrace: Having lost respect or approval.
Related Phrases
- In hot water: In trouble or difficulty.
- He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline.
- On someone's bad side: Not in someone's good favor.
- I don't want to be on my boss's bad side.
Related Idioms
- In the doghouse is itself the primary idiom. Its meaning is fixed and refers specifically to interpersonal disfavor, not formal punishment.
Noun
- an idiomatic term for being in disfavor
- in the doghouse
- outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog