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Synonyms

doghouse

American  
[dog-hous, dog-] / ˈdɒgˌhaʊs, ˈdɒg- /

noun

plural

doghouses

  1. a small shelter for a dog.

  2. (on a yacht) a small cabin that presents a relatively high profile and gives the appearance of a box.

  3. Rocketry Slang. a bulge on the surface of a rocket or missile, for scientific instruments.

idioms

  1. in the doghouse, in disfavor or disgrace.

doghouse British  
/ ˈdɒɡˌhaʊs /

noun

  1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): kennel.  a hutlike shelter for a dog

  2. informal disfavour (in the phrase in the doghouse )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
doghouse More Idioms  

  1. see in the doghouse.

Etymology

Origin of doghouse

First recorded in 1605–15; dog + house

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The world’s only remaining $4 trillion company has actually been a bit in the doghouse with investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

It’s Microsoft’s turn to be in the investor doghouse over artificial-intelligence spending.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 28, 2026

Others have fallen victim to managerial missteps that consigned their stocks to the doghouse and left their ranks in disarray.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

And Davis was deep in Lasorda’s doghouse after a career-worse season in which he slashed .196/.260/.270 with two homers and more strikeouts than hits in 108 games.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

He staked the doghouse into the ground with three stakes, all he had.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.