Go down the tube/tubes
verb
To become worse or fail.
Without proper management, the company will go down the tubes.
Often appears as...
- go down the tube
- plans going down the tubes
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial,Idiomatic
verb
To become worse or fail.
Without proper management, the company will go down the tubes.
Often appears as...
- go down the tube
- plans going down the tubes
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial,Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Meaning
Used metaphorically for situations that deteriorate, not just physical objects going inside a tube.
His academic performance went down the tubes after he started playing video games.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
It's a casual phrase, more suitable for conversations than formal writing.
I heard their project went down the tube - what a bummer!
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
The phrase implies a negative outcome and is often associated with disappointment.
After the lead actor quit, the film production went down the tubes.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Meaning
Used metaphorically for situations that deteriorate, not just physical objects going inside a tube.
His academic performance went down the tubes after he started playing video games.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
It's a casual phrase, more suitable for conversations than formal writing.
I heard their project went down the tube - what a bummer!
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
The phrase implies a negative outcome and is often associated with disappointment.
After the lead actor quit, the film production went down the tubes.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Meaning
Used metaphorically for situations that deteriorate, not just physical objects going inside a tube.
His academic performance went down the tubes after he started playing video games.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
It's a casual phrase, more suitable for conversations than formal writing.
I heard their project went down the tube - what a bummer!
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
The phrase implies a negative outcome and is often associated with disappointment.
After the lead actor quit, the film production went down the tubes.
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