dog box: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “dog box” mean?
A small, confined space or compartment, typically for housing or transporting a dog.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, confined space or compartment, typically for housing or transporting a dog.
A position of disfavour, punishment, or isolation; often used figuratively to describe being in trouble or outcast.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The figurative sense is almost exclusively Antipodean (Aus/NZ). In the US and UK, the term is rare and primarily understood literally.
Connotations
In Aus/NZ: strong connotation of punishment or disgrace. In US/UK: neutral, purely descriptive of a physical object.
Frequency
High frequency in Aus/NZ informal speech. Very low frequency in US/UK, where 'doghouse' (US) or 'kennel' (UK) are preferred for the literal meaning, and 'in the doghouse' (figurative) is common.
Grammar
How to Use “dog box” in a Sentence
[Subject] put [Object] in the dog box[Subject] is in the dog box (with [Person])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dog box” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The coach threatened to dog-box any player who broke curfew.
American English
- (Not used as a verb in AmE)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not typically used as an adjective)
American English
- (Not used as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'After missing the deadline, the project manager was firmly in the dog box with the client.' (Aus/NZ context)
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Common in Aus/NZ: 'I'm in the dog box for forgetting our anniversary.'
Technical
Rare. Could refer to a specific compartment on a sled or in a vehicle for carrying dogs.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dog box”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dog box”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog box”
- Using it in a US/UK context expecting figurative understanding. Confusing it with 'doghouse' (US) which has a similar figurative meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the literal sense, they are similar containers for a dog. Figuratively, 'in the doghouse' (mainly US) and 'in the dog box' (Aus/NZ) mean the same thing: to be in trouble or disfavoured.
No, it is an informal, colloquial expression, especially in its figurative sense.
It likely originated in Australia/New Zealand, possibly from railway slang where a 'dog box' was a small, uncomfortable compartment, or from the idea of a misbehaving dog being confined.
For the literal object, say 'dog crate' or 'kennel'. For the figurative sense, use 'in the doghouse' or 'in trouble'.
A small, confined space or compartment, typically for housing or transporting a dog.
Dog box: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡ ˌbɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːɡ ˌbɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In the dog box”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a misbehaving dog being put in a small box as punishment. Now imagine a person in the same situation – they're 'in the dog box'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL DISFAVOUR IS CONFINEMENT / PUNISHMENT IS BEING CAGED.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'dog box' MOST commonly used figuratively to mean 'in disfavour'?