Street
dog's dinner
What does dog's dinner mean?
A mess or shambles; in 'done up like a dog's dinner' it means dressed overly smartly.
"He made a right dog's dinner of it."
Origin
British colloquialism, early 20th century.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'dog's dinner' mean?
It usually means a mess or shambles, as in 'he made a right dog's dinner of it'.
Why does 'dressed up like a dog's dinner' mean overdressed?
In that phrase it flips to describe someone dressed far too smartly or fussily for the occasion.
Is 'dog's dinner' the same as 'dog's breakfast'?
Very close — both mean a mess, and the two phrases are often used interchangeably.
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