This expression means to deteriorate, to decline, to come to a bad end. It comes from the times when dogs held a much less privileged domestic position than they now do. What originally 'went to the dogs' was anything decayed and worthless that wasn't fit for humans, particularly food. This usage was well established by the late eighteenth century.

Übersetzung:

unter die Räder kommen, vor die Hunde gehen

Gegenteil(e)

The opposite of "to go to the dogs" is "to meet with success".

Synonym(e):

You could also say: to go to pot.