throw to the dogs: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘throw to the dogs’ mean?
The idiom throw to the dogs means to abandon or sacrifice someone or something, often to face harsh criticism or punishment.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "throw the book at" means to penalize someone severely or impose the maximum punishment available for an offense, providing no leniency or mercy.
The idiom "throw the baby out with the bathwater" means to discard something valuable or useful along with things that are not. It warns against the risk of making hasty or indiscriminate decisions that result in unnecessary loss.
The idiom "throw stones in a glass house" means to criticize or attack someone while being vulnerable to the same criticisms or attacks oneself.
The idiom "throw stones" means to criticize or blame someone, often without considering one's own faults or mistakes
The idiom "throw out" means to dispose of something, to get rid of it. It can also mean to eject or expel someone from a place or a group.
The idiom "throw one's toys out of the pram" means to react in an excessively angry or childish manner, often in response to a minor inconvenience or disappointment.
The idiom "throw one's hat over the wall" means to commit oneself to a course of action, often into a difficult or challenging situation, in order to show determination and resolve.
"Tossed into Peril: Unveiling 'Throw to the Dogs'"
The idiom "go to the dogs" is closely related to "throw to the dogs." Both idioms share a common theme of decline or deterioration. While "throw to the dogs" implies a deliberate act of sacrifice or betrayal, "go to the dogs" suggests a passive or gradual decline without direct human intervention.
Similarly, the idiom "throw away" is relevant to our discussion of "throw to the dogs." "Throw away" means to discard or dispose of something without regard for its value or potential. In the context of our idiom, "throw to the dogs" can be seen as a more extreme form of "throw away," involving the abandonment or sacrifice of individuals.
Another related idiom is "throw aside," which also conveys the idea of dismissing or disregarding someone or something. However, "throw aside" tends to imply a less severe or dramatic action compared to "throw to the dogs." It suggests a more casual or careless attitude towards the individual or object being discarded.
Lastly, the idiom "throw stones" can be associated with "throw to the dogs" in terms of causing harm or inflicting damage. "Throw stones" refers to both literal and metaphorical acts of attacking or criticizing someone. In the context of our idiom, "throw to the dogs" can be seen as a metaphorical form of throwing stones, as it involves subjecting someone to hostility, criticism, or danger.
The idiom "throw to the dogs" carries a powerful connotation of sacrifice, betrayal, and abandonment. Its origins in ancient hunting practices and its subsequent usage in various contexts highlight the enduring significance and emotional impact of this metaphorical expression. Additionally, the related idioms "go to the dogs," "throw away," "throw aside," and "throw stones" further contribute to our understanding of the themes of decline, abandonment, and harm associated with "throw to the dogs." These idioms serve as valuable tools for communication, allowing us to convey complex ideas and emotions in a concise and impactful manner.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "throw to the dogs" can be used in a sentence are:
- She threw her former colleague to the dogs by revealing all of his secrets to the media.
- The manager decided to throw the rookie pitcher to the dogs by having him start in the championship game.
- After the company lost the major client, the CEO felt like throwing his sales team to the dogs.
More "Sacrifice" idioms
