Meaning & use
you're in the doghouse
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Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformal
in trouble with someone close to you, especially a partner, because you have done something to annoy them
Grammar: Used after 'be' or 'get' with the person as subject: I'm in the doghouse. It is not used with an object.
Patterns
- be in the doghouse
- be in the doghouse with someone
- get in the doghouse
I forgot our anniversary, so I'm in the doghouse with my wife.
He stayed out late without calling and now he's in the doghouse.
She knew she was in the doghouse when he didn't answer her messages.
Common combinations
- be in the doghouse with someone
- After missing the party, I was in the doghouse with my best friend.
- get in the doghouse
- If you don't apologize, you'll get in the doghouse.
- really in the doghouse
- He's really in the doghouse after that comment.
- put someone in the doghouse
- Her rude remark put him in the doghouse for a week.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in trouble
- This is a general phrase for being in a difficult situation; 'in the doghouse' is more specific and usually about a personal relationship.
- out of favor
- This is more formal and can refer to work or social situations; 'in the doghouse' is informal and usually personal.
Opposites
Commonly confused: you're in the doghouse or dog house?
you're in the doghouse vs dog house
A 'dog house' (two words) is a small shelter for a dog. The idiom 'in the doghouse' is written as one word and means being in trouble.
Practice
My brother forgot his wife's birthday, so now he's ___ the doghouse.
Choose one answer.
The fixed idiom is 'in the doghouse'. The other prepositions do not form the idiom, even though they can be used with other nouns.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “you're in the doghouse”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.