go to the dogs

go to the dogs  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To go to ruin; to be ruined or destroyed.
The man went to the dogs after he started drinking.
After the death of the owner, the business went to the dogs.
The team went to the dogs when its best players got hurt.
Compare: GO TO POT.
Categories: business death hurt {informal} {v. phr.}