When I was a kid, my favorite cartoon – by far! – it was Peter Pan. And one of the scenes that made me most sorry was when they sent Naná, the dog who lives with them, the children’s “nanny”, to the kennel in the backyard. “Poor Naná, alone out there…”
If you haven’t seen the drawing, it will be difficult to understand the pity we feel for Naná, but what you can take away from here is the expression in the doghouse . In the doghouse literally means “in the kennel”, and it’s a way of saying someone is in trouble.
In fact, it’s a very similar expression to the expression to be in hot water , but with an important difference: while to be in hot water means “to be in trouble” in general, to be in the doghouse tends to be used to say that you did something wrong and therefore got in trouble with a particular person.
For example, as you will see in the examples below ( Anki , everyone , Anki!), if you forget your wedding anniversary, it is precisely in the doghouse that you will find yourself. Believe me, go for me.
How do we translate this expression? Generally speaking, “being in trouble” or even “being in trouble” serves to convey the main idea. But when it comes to relationships, when someone else gets “bad” at you for something you did (or didn’t do, in the case of your birthday), I think we can say that you are “blacklisted”. The idea is the same, so why not?
Check out the examples below and then tell us in the comments what you think of today’s idiom ( idiom )!
He’s in the doghouse for forgetting his wife’s birthday.
He’s blacklisted for forgetting his wife’s birthday.
I’m in the doghouse – I broke Sara’s favorite vase this morning.
I’m in trouble : I broke Sara’s favorite vase this morning.
If I don’t do something for Mother’s Day, I’ll really be in the doghouse .
If I don’t do something for Mother’s Day, I will be in a real cold .
I seem to be in the doghouse with her but I don’t know why.
Looks like I’m on her blacklist , but I don’t know why.
I’ll be in the doghouse if I come into work late again this week.
I’ll be blacklisted if I’m late for work again this week.
You’ve been in the doghouse with Maria ever since you forgot her birthday.
You’ve been on Maria’s blacklist since you forgot her birthday.
I’m really in the doghouse with my boss. I was late for an appointment.
I’m really in trouble with my boss. I was late for an appointment.
Jane knew that forgetting the check would put her in the doghouse .
Jane knew that forgetting the check would put her on the blacklist .
If you give her a birthday card and nothing else, you’ll be in the doghouse .
If you give her a birthday card and nothing else, you’re going to be in trouble .
He plays a salesman in the doghouse for repeatedly turning up late.
He plays the role of a salesman in trouble for being constantly late.
I’m in the doghouse for forgetting Valentine’s Day.
I’m in trouble for forgetting Valentine’s Day .
I hate being in the doghouse all the time. I don’t know why I can’t stay out of trouble.
I hate being in trouble all the time. I don’t know why I can’t stay out of trouble.
