What does "Dog's breakfast" mean?
It means a mess, or a job done badly. It is about the state of things, not an actual breakfast.
Hear an Aussie say it
The saying
Dog's breakfast
Example
Work is a dog's breakfast at the moment! We've lost a lot of staff.
How Aussies use it
At home
Leila: Did the kids clean their room?
Sam: They say so. It's still a dog's breakfast in there.
Sam doesn't think the room is clean at all.
At work
Ben: How did the new roster turn out?
Priya: Total dog's breakfast. Half of us are on twice and Tom isn't on at all.
A roster is a work timetable. On means working.
A home project
Kate: Did your brother paint the fence?
Luca: He tried. It's a dog's breakfast. I'll redo it on the weekend.
How to reply
- "Need a hand sorting it out?" A hand means some help.
- "Ha, could be worse." A light reply to cheer them up.
When to use it
Use it to describe a mess: a messy room, a badly organised plan or a job done badly. It is casual and a bit cheeky (a bit rude, but playful), and fine with friends and most workmates.
When not to use it
Be careful saying it about someone's work to their face, because it is a harsh judgement. In a formal report, say "disorganised" or "poorly done".
Questions about "Dog's breakfast"
Is dog's breakfast rude?
It is not swearing, but it is a strong criticism, so think about who will hear it.
Can you make a dog's breakfast of something?
Yes. If someone made a dog's breakfast of a job, they did it very badly, like a fence painted in a hurry.
What is another way to say dog's breakfast?
A mess, a shambles or a botched job. At work, "it's a bit disorganised" is a gentler way to say it.
