in the doghouse

1. Temporarily out of favor or in trouble: “Tyrone forgot his wife's anniversary, and now he's really in the doghouse.”

Idioms and Phrases

In disfavor, in trouble, as in Jane knew that forgetting the check would put her in the doghouse. This expression alludes to relegating a dog that misbehaves to its outdoor kennel. [c. 1900]

Related Words

• contemptible 
• despicable 
• shady 
• shameful 
• sordid 
• vile