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  What it means

  Literally “to go to the dogs.” This expression signifies that a person, a place, or an institution has significantly deteriorated in quality, morals, or status. It implies a sense of ruin or a decline into a miserable, neglected state.

  Vocabulary

  • zejść — to go down / descend
  • psy — dogs
  • pogorszyć się — to worsen / deteriorate

  Grammar note

  The verb 'zejść' is the perfective form, indicating a completed process of decline. The preposition 'na' is followed by the accusative plural 'psy'.

  Cultural context

  The origin is likely related to the idea that something once valuable is now only fit to be thrown to the dogs. It is a very common, informal way to complain about a restaurant, a neighborhood, or even the state of the world.

  Beginner

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