Definitions

go belly up

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fail v.
kick the bucket v.
topple v.
tumble v.

VERB

fail

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break close drop end finish

STRONG

crash defalcate default dishonor fold overdraw repudiate terminate

WEAK

be cleaned out be in arrears be ruined be taken to the cleaners become insolvent close down close one's doors drop a bundle go bankrupt go broke go bust go into Chapter 11 go out of business go to the wall go under go up lose big lose one's shirt

Antonyms

STRONGEST

begin commence continue start

WEAK

accomplish achieve capture complete deliver earn gain merit obtain procure prosper reach succeed win

VERB

kick the bucket

Synonyms

WEAK

bite the dust buy the farm cash in one's chips cease living croak expire go to the wall go west meet one's maker pass away pass on shove off succumb

VERB

topple

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapse oust overturn plunge tumble unseat upset

STRONG

capsize fall falter founder land lurch overbalance pitch slump stagger stumble teeter totter unhorse

WEAK

bring down do a pratfall go down hit the dirt keel over knock down lose it nose-dive take a header tip over turn over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

hold increase rise

STRONG

ascend lose

WEAK

place put straighten

VERB

tumble

Synonyms

STRONGEST

descend dip drop flop go down nose-dive plummet plunge sag skid slip slump spill stumble topple

STRONG

disarrange disarray disorder disturb down flatten floor jumble keel level pitch roll toss trip unsettle upset

WEAK

bowl down bring down do a pratfall fall headlong hit the dirt keel over knock down knock over lose footing lose it mess up take a header tip over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend go up increase rise

STRONG

order

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

go belly up

Spirit has become the largest U.S. carrier to go belly up in years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

“He’s not as great a businessman as he thinks. A lot of his businesses go belly up, quickly.”

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 25, 2024

Nouveau space station companies could go belly up if the hoped-for customers are slow to show up.

From New York Times ● Oct. 22, 2018

For this reason, Wible said, it's unlikely that Time Warner Cable, Comcast and other pay-TV companies will suddenly go belly up or begin offering all channels on an a-la-carte basis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2014

The salt refining factories and the salt retailers can go belly up any time they like.

From Down with the Cities by Tadashi Nakashima

go belly up

Example Sentences

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