Be/go up the spout
verb
To go wrong or to fail.
Their plans for the vacation went up the spout when the car broke down
Often appears as...
- plans go up the spout
- things went up the spout
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb
To become pregnant.
Jane went up the spout soon after the wedding
Often appears as...
- jane went up the spout
- sally is up the spout
Usage tips
Informal, Neutral
Colloquial
verb
To go wrong or to fail.
Their plans for the vacation went up the spout when the car broke down
Often appears as...
- plans go up the spout
- things went up the spout
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb
To become pregnant.
Jane went up the spout soon after the wedding
Often appears as...
- jane went up the spout
- sally is up the spout
Usage tips
Informal, Neutral
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Used in casual conversation, not in formal or written English.
I'm afraid our little plan has gone up the spout, hasn't it?
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
Implies a disappointment or an unexpected negative turn of events.
The whole project went up the spout when the funding was cut.
Pro Tip 3/3Sudden Failure
Often used when something fails suddenly or unexpectedly.
The deal went up the spout after the CEO quit.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Used in casual conversation, not in formal or written English.
I'm afraid our little plan has gone up the spout, hasn't it?
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
Implies a disappointment or an unexpected negative turn of events.
The whole project went up the spout when the funding was cut.
Pro Tip 3/3Sudden Failure
Often used when something fails suddenly or unexpectedly.
The deal went up the spout after the CEO quit.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Used in casual conversation, not in formal or written English.
I'm afraid our little plan has gone up the spout, hasn't it?
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
Implies a disappointment or an unexpected negative turn of events.
The whole project went up the spout when the funding was cut.
Pro Tip 3/3Sudden Failure
Often used when something fails suddenly or unexpectedly.
The deal went up the spout after the CEO quit.
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