go belly up

/ɡoʊ ˈbɛli ʌp/◆idiom

to fail completely

The small startup went belly up after losing its major investor.

The startup failed completely because it lost its main source of funding.

◆ What It Really Means

To fail completely, especially in a business or financial context.

¶ Literal Meaning

To lie on one's belly, often associated with the position of a dead animal.

Literal Breakdown

goto move or travel+bellythe stomach or abdomen+upin a higher position or direction

◇ Mental Image

The mental image is of an animal lying on its belly, often associated with death or failure, which is metaphorically applied to businesses or financial ventures that fail.

◈ When to Use

A business owner might say, 'If we don't secure more funding, we're going to go belly up by the end of the year,' to express concern about the company's financial stability.

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom is widely used in American English and is often associated with the rough-and-tumble world of business, where failure is a common risk.

Business

informal

To fail completely, especially in business or finance, often leading to bankruptcy or closure.

After years of struggling, the family-owned restaurant finally went belly up.

The restaurant failed completely and had to close down.

The tech company went belly up when its new product flopped in the market.

The company failed completely because its latest product was unsuccessful.

This idiom is often used in business contexts to describe a sudden or dramatic failure.

to fail financially or go bankrupt

hit the skidsidiom

to experience a rapid decline or failure

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'go belly up' in informal settings to describe a business or financial failure. Avoid using it in formal reports or professional documents.

Gold Rule

Avoid Literal Interpretation

Do not use this phrase to describe a literal animal lying on its belly. It is strictly a figurative expression for failure.

Word Origin

The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it likely comes from the idea of a dead animal lying on its belly, symbolizing failure or death in a business context.

Usage Notes

This phrase is informal and commonly used in business and financial contexts to describe a sudden or dramatic failure.

English Dictionary

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