a dog's dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"a dog's dinner" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is poorly and haphazardly assembled, usually in the context of food. For example: "I don't know what he was thinking when he put this together; it looks like a dog's dinner!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's a dog's dinner.

The Guardian

As a drama, it's a dog's dinner.

The Guardian

I'll look like a dog's dinner, that's what I said.

The New Yorker

Clare is clearly happier mucking out stables than getting done up like a dog's dinner to sip Pimm's on the terrace.

The Guardian - Sport

9.39am GMT The Norwegian Aleksander Aurdal is next to go... it's a bit of a dog's dinner to start with before a double 900 and a switch double misty 12 bumps up his score to 70.00.

The Guardian - Sport

Channel 4's The Taste might have been a bit of a dog's dinner of a show, but at least it provided an opportunity for different people to talk about food differently.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

At the moment, it's a complete dog's dinner.

The Guardian

Now he's back with The Mainframe, a dubstep dog's dinner featuring a singer who won the Dutch X Factor.

Vice

It was joined on the list by the monstrous Parliament House apartment tower in Lambeth by Keith Williams, a lumpen dog's dinner of a thing that looks like Elephant and Castle's Strata Tower (a previous Carbuncle Cup winner) put through a mangle.

The Guardian - Arts

The Guardian's Michael Billington queried the "fairground shock tactics" of It Felt Like a Kiss (2009), their collaboration with documentary film-maker Adam Curtis, and musician Damon Albarn for the Manchester international festival, calling it "a real dog's dinner of a show".

The Guardian

Some might say they made a right dog's dinner.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dog's dinner" to describe situations, plans, or projects that are poorly executed, disorganized, or a complete mess. It is best suited for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a dog's dinner" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "complete mess" or "total failure" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a dog's dinner" is to serve as a noun phrase, functioning as a descriptor for something chaotic, messy, or poorly executed. Ludwig's examples show it is often used predicatively or as a complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dog's dinner" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe something that is a complete mess, poorly organized, or badly executed. It is grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig, frequently found in news and media sources. While its usage is widespread, it's important to note its informal tone, making it less suitable for formal writing. For such contexts, alternatives like "complete failure" or "disorganized mess" are recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete mess

Replaces the idiomatic element with a more straightforward description of disarray.

a total disaster

Emphasizes the negative outcome and failure associated with the situation.

a chaotic situation

Focuses on the disorganization and lack of order.

a botched job

Highlights the poor quality of work or execution.

a shambles

Implies a state of complete disorder and confusion.

a fiasco

Suggests a humiliating failure or embarrassing situation.

a screw-up

An informal term for a mistake or blunder.

a train wreck

Evokes a sense of impending doom and catastrophic failure.

a hash

Indicates something has been messed up badly.

a mare's nest

Describes a complicated and confused situation, often involving deception.

FAQs

How can I use "a dog's dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "a dog's dinner" to describe something that is a complete mess or very badly organized. For example, "The project turned into "a dog's dinner" after the manager left."

What does "a dog's dinner" mean?

"A dog's dinner" is an idiom that means something is a mess, poorly done, or badly organized. It suggests a chaotic and unappetizing situation.

What can I say instead of "a dog's dinner"?

You can use alternatives like "a complete mess", "a total disaster", or "a shambles" depending on the context.

Is "a dog's dinner" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "a dog's dinner" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more professional terms like "complete failure" or "disorganized mess".