go to the bow-wows

present singular third person goes to the bow-wows · participle present going to the bow-wows · past went to the bow-wows · participle past gone to the bow-wows

1. datedidiomaticinformalTo go to the dogs, to decline or deteriorate.

   1912, James Oneal, Militant Socialism, Saint Louis: The National RipSaw Publishing Co., p. 28, The robber barons of the Middle Ages were perfectly sure that civilization would go to the bow-wows if they were interfered with.

   2 more examples

   1896, Arthur G. Burgoyne, “Timon of Athens” in Shakespeare Up to Date, and Other Latter-Day Lyrics, Pittsburg: T. W. Nevin, p. 16, With lavish hand his cash he spent, And with lightning speed to the bow-wows went And into the gutter fell.

   His father died a couple of years ago—he was a Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh—and I fancy Robert has rather gone to the bow-wows since then. Got among a cheerful crowd down there, don't you know, and wasted his substance somewhat.

   1928, Dorothy L. Sayers, “The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach”, in A Treasury of Sayers Stories, London: Victor Gollancz, published 1961, page 288