Be In The Dog House | English Idioms

Be in the dog house

To be in the dog house is to be in real trouble or to be in someone’s disfavour. A dog house is a small hut meant for keeping dogs. To put someone in the dog house is to punish them by treating them like dogs.

• John can’t stay out of trouble. He is always in the dog house.
• He was in the dog house after forgetting his wife’s birthday.

Be out of the dog house

To be out of the dog house is to save oneself from trouble.

• She won’t be out of the dog house until she pays the dues.
• I couldn’t submit my assignment before the deadline and now I’m in the dog house with my professor.

The expressions get in the dog house and find oneself in the dog house also mean the same.

• He missed many deadlines and put himself in the dog house.
• She put herself in the dog house by being late for the conference.
• The minister’s secretary got in the dog house over some controversial remarks she made to the press.