go belly up

/ɡoʊ ˈbɛli ʌp/
phrase★Intermediate💡 to fail completely◆idiom
◆ 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.

Related Phrases

go underidiom
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