phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

The Phrase Finder
Phrases, Sayings and Idioms Home > Discussion Forum

- We are also on

A Phrase A Week - Facebook Group & Follow aphraseaweek on Twitter

Screw the pooch

Posted by Ian Hall on August 10, 2000

I heard this phrase uttered by Charleton Heston's character in the film "True Lies." The main character and his team of spies had mishandled an operation and their chief (Heston) rebukes them by saying "We really screwed the pooch on that one." Where might this expression have originated?