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Difference between Doggone and Gone to the dogs

admin Confusing Phrases

doggone —(coll.)

1. extremely (used as an intensifier):

  • You don’t expect these tools to be perfect … but the price is doggone good!

2. (in the phrase “I’ll be doggone”) used as an exclamation of annoyance:

  • I’ll be doggone if I am going to stand in the path of small businesses.

gone to the dogs —(coll.) ruined or in very poor condition:

  • If politicians are allowed to decide what is right, the future of science is gone to the dogs.