A2Informal
Auf den Hund kommen
In German
Auf den Hund kommen
aʊ̯f deːn hʊnt ˈkɔmən
🇬🇧 English
🇪🇸 Español
🇮🇹 Italiano
📖 Literal Translation
To come on the dog
💡 Meaning
To go to the dogs; to fall on hard times
🌍 Equivalent:"To go to the dogs; to fall on hard times"
📜 Origin:This idiom probably refers to the practice in mining where old, worn-out horses were replaced by dogs to pull carts, symbolizing decline. Another theory suggests it refers to a dog's life, which was often hard.
Example Sentences
1
Seit er seinen Job verloren hat, ist er total auf den Hund gekommen.
Since he lost his job, he's totally gone to the dogs.
2
Die alte Fabrik ist leider völlig auf den Hund gekommen.
The old factory has unfortunately completely gone to the dogs.