This idiom describes something or someone deteriorating, declining, or falling into ruin, as if food left to spoil in a pot. It conveys neglect or decay, often used in personal, business, or societal contexts to lament decline. The phrase carries a tone of regret, resignation, or critique, reflecting cultural values of maintenance and the human tendency to let things slide. Its culinary imagery evokes a slow ruin, resonating in scenarios like failing businesses or personal neglect. The idiom mourns decline, making it a somber metaphor for loss of quality or vitality.

The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, tied to cooking where spoiled food ‘went to pot,’ as noted in Thomas More’s *A Dialogue of Comfort* (1534). Its modern use emerged in the 19th century, with *The Times* (1840s) using it for failing estates. The idiom gained traction in the 20th century, amplified by economic depressions and literature, notably in George Orwell’s *Down and Out in Paris and London* (1933). Its adoption across English-speaking cultures stems from its vivid imagery and relevance to decline, especially in the U.K. and U.S.