doggy bag

Meaning

A 'doggy bag' is a bag or container used to take home leftover food from a meal eaten at a restaurant. Although it originally implied the leftovers were for the customer's pet, it is now universally understood that the food is for the person to eat later. It is a very common, casual request in many English-speaking countries.

Examples

• We couldn't finish the pizza, so we asked the waiter for a doggy bag.

  We couldn't finish the pizza, so we asked the waiter for a doggy bag.

• Is it okay if I take the rest of this pasta home in a doggy bag?

  Is it okay if I take the rest of this pasta home in a doggy bag?

• The portions here are huge, so I always end up leaving with a doggy bag.

  The portions here are huge, so I always end up leaving with a doggy bag.

• Don't throw away that steak; let's put it in a doggy bag for lunch tomorrow.

  Don't throw away that steak; let's put it in a doggy bag for lunch tomorrow.

• The waiter brought us a doggy bag for our leftover birthday cake.

  The waiter brought us a doggy bag for our leftover birthday cake.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Can you put this in a dog bag, please?

  ✓ Can you put this in a doggy bag, please?

  The correct diminutive form is 'doggy' (or 'doggie'), never just 'dog'.

• ✗ I want to take a doggy bag for my pizza.

  ✓ Could I get a doggy bag for my pizza?

  It is more polite to use 'Could I get...' or 'Could we have...' rather than demanding 'I want to take...'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• There's still half a steak left; could we get a ___?

  💡 A container for restaurant leftovers.

  Show answer

  doggy bag

• Don't worry about finishing your meal, you can always ask for a ___.

  💡 Bag for taking food home.

  Show answer

  doggy bag