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Dictionary.com
Definitions

go south

VERB
abscond
Synonyms
STRONG
bolt break decamp disappear escape fade flee get hightail jump leave quit scram skedaddle slip slip away split vamoose vanish
WEAK
beat it clear out cut and run dog it duck out fly the coop go AWOL make a break make off make scarce pull out run off skip out sneak away steal away take off
Antonyms
STRONG
appear arrive come continue face join remain stay strengthen wait
WEAK
abide endure give up stop yield
VERB
disappear
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon depart die die out dissipate dissolve escape evaporate expire fade flee fly go leave melt perish recede retire retreat sink wane withdraw
STRONG
abscond clear decamp dematerialize disperse ebb end evanesce exit pass vacate vamoose
WEAK
be done for be gone be lost be no more be swallowed up cease to exist come to naught drop out of sight end gradually evanish fade away leave no trace melt away pass away take flight
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance appear be born begin coagulate come continue enter face fight forge grow improve increase keep meet remain rise solidify stay strengthen wait
WEAK
arrive come in

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.

It’s intimidating to see how much you spend, but truly understanding your habits is the only way to build a smart financial plan that survives when things go south.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

“If negotiations look more likely, the market’s going to go south, if it makes it look like it’s going to drag on for much longer, then the market goes higher.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Paramount also offers to pay Warner $5 billion should the deal go south.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

Some have said they attempted to go south but were unable to pitch their tents, so returned to Gaza City.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025

They had to take a train north to Birmingham, which they reached by lunchtime, and then go south to Worcester, where they arrived in late afternoon.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman