in the doghouse

Cultural  

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

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in the doghouse Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the doghouse

Because most fund managers can’t survive long periods in the doghouse without getting money yanked away, the superior strategy gets less crowded.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026

Tech is a big reason why small-caps have been in the doghouse for so long.

From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026

This bold outburst – a clear embarrassment to Cheryl – lands Larry in the doghouse.

From Salon ● Mar. 10, 2024

Gingee is not in the doghouse, though, and she's even become a viral sensation with thousands of followers and millions of views on Instagram and TikTok.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2023

I had the impression he was angry, disappointed, and a little hurt, and that I was in the doghouse for my lack of understanding.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

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