go bankrupt

/ˈɡoʊ ˈbæŋkrʌpt/
phrasal verbIntermediatephrasal verb
💰Finance
formal

To become insolvent or unable to pay debts, often leading to liquidation or reorganization.

After years of financial mismanagement, the firm went bankrupt.

The company became unable to pay its debts and had to shut down.

Many small businesses went bankrupt during the economic crisis.

Numerous small companies became insolvent due to the economic downturn.

💡

This term is often used in legal and financial contexts to describe the formal process of insolvency.

Collocations

go bankrupt overnightto become insolvent very quicklygo bankrupt due toto become insolvent because of a specific reason

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

file for bankruptcyphrase
to legally declare insolvency
bankruptcy protectionphrase
legal protection from creditors

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

Use 'go bankrupt' in formal contexts such as business reports or legal discussions. In informal settings, you might say 'go under' or 'fail financially.'

Gold Rule

Legal Implications

Going bankrupt is a legal process with significant consequences, including the loss of assets and creditworthiness.

📖Word Origin

The phrase 'go bankrupt' originates from the legal term 'bankruptcy,' which comes from the Italian 'banca rotta,' meaning 'broken bench.' In medieval times, a merchant's bench or table (banca) was broken when they were unable to pay their debts.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in financial and business contexts to describe a company or individual's inability to pay debts. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation where something fails completely.

Word Breakdown

go
to move or proceed
verb
+
bankrupt
financially ruined or insolvent
adjective
English Dictionary