go belly up
Meaning: to fail completely; to go bankrupt.
Language: English
Literally: to go belly up
Category: Animals
Origin: Observation of dead fish floating upside-down in water.
More idioms — Animals
- bark up the wrong tree — to pursue a wrong course; to blame the wrong person.
- get your ducks in a row — to organize yourself; to prepare systematically.
- in a pig's eye — absolutely not; never; expressing strong disagreement.
- like a fish out of water — uncomfortable or awkward in a situation; out of one's element.
- bury the hatchet — to make peace; to settle a dispute.
- a nose for something — a talent for finding or recognizing something; keen instinct.
More English idioms
- wear your heart on your sleeve — to display emotions openly; to be transparent about feelings.
- mad as a box of frogs — completely crazy; chaotic and unpredictable.
- have the wool pulled over your eyes — to be deceived or fooled.
- not worth your salt — incompetent; not deserving of wages or respect.
- stick your oar in — to interfere in someone else's affairs; to meddle.
- lower your guard — to relax defenses; to become vulnerable.
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