Meaning
To decline in health or condition.
Cultural Background
In Denmark, there is a strong social expectation that the state will help those in need. 'At gå i hundene' often implies that someone has refused help or that the system has failed them, which is a topic of much debate. The phrase is a favorite in 'Social Realism' literature, used to describe the harsh lives of the poor in Copenhagen in the early 20th century. Danes use this phrase to talk about 'gentrification' in reverse—when a nice area becomes 'slum-agtig' (slum-like). Sometimes, the phrase is used with a hint of 'Jantelov' (the Law of Jante), where people might judge those who 'went to the dogs' as having 'deserved it' for being too ambitious earlier, though this is a darker usage.
Don't use for pets
Never use this to describe your dog's health. Use 'min hund er syg' instead.
The 'er' rule
Always remember: 'Han ER gået i hundene.' Using 'har' is the most common learner mistake.
Meaning
To decline in health or condition.
Don't use for pets
Never use this to describe your dog's health. Use 'min hund er syg' instead.
The 'er' rule
Always remember: 'Han ER gået i hundene.' Using 'har' is the most common learner mistake.
Empathy vs. Judgment
Be aware that this phrase can sound judgmental. Use it with empathy if talking about real people.
Property usage
It's a great, natural way to describe a house that needs a lot of renovation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'at gå'.
Han ____ i hundene sidste år efter han mistede sit hus.
The sentence refers to 'sidste år' (last year), so the past tense 'gik' is required.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the right auxiliary verb.
Danish uses 'er' with 'gået' for change of state.
Match the situation to the phrase.
A once-famous singer is now homeless and struggling with health.
'Gå i hundene' describes this social and physical decline.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hvordan går det med din onkel?' B: 'Ikke godt. Han er desværre helt ____.'
'Gået i hundene' fits the context of 'Ikke godt' (Not good) regarding a person's life state.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHan ____ i hundene sidste år efter han mistede sit hus.
The sentence refers to 'sidste år' (last year), so the past tense 'gik' is required.
Choose the right auxiliary verb.
Danish uses 'er' with 'gået' for change of state.
A once-famous singer is now homeless and struggling with health.
'Gå i hundene' describes this social and physical decline.
A: 'Hvordan går det med din onkel?' B: 'Ikke godt. Han er desværre helt ____.'
'Gået i hundene' fits the context of 'Ikke godt' (Not good) regarding a person's life state.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be. Calling someone to their face 'gået i hundene' is very harsh. It's better used to describe a situation or a third party.
It's a bit dramatic for just a messy room. It implies the room is actually falling apart or rotting.
'I hundene' is the standard modern version. 'Til hundene' is older and sounds more like the English translation.
No, you can use it for businesses, neighborhoods, and even countries or political systems.
No, it's an idiom. It's informal but perfectly acceptable in most conversations and journalism.
You say 'Han gik i hundene.'
Very similar, but 'at gå i hundene' emphasizes the process of decay, while 'at ramme bunden' is the moment you hit the lowest point.
No, that doesn't exist in Danish. It's always dogs!
In a casual office, yes. In a formal report, no.
Linguistically, it suggests being *among* the dogs in the yard rather than just traveling toward them.
Related Phrases
at ramme bunden
synonymTo hit rock bottom
at lade stå til
builds onTo let things slide
social deroute
specialized formSocial decline
at være på spanden
similarTo be in a tight spot / broke
at gå i vasken
contrastTo go down the drain (for plans)
