"Go belly up" means that a business has failed.
I really enjoy going to bookstores, so when I heard that Borders Books is going belly up, I was saddened. However, maybe I can pick up some bargains at the liquidation sale.
To “go belly up” is a slang way to say that a business has failed and is going out of business. A business or venture has died.
Imagine a dead insect or a dead fish. Often, you see the it on its back. That’s how we get the term “go belly up”. The business is dead.
The Great Recession has taken a toll on many businesses in a America. Many formerly big names have gone belly up. If these businesses are at a shopping center, the ripple effect can cause other smaller businesses to go belly up as well.
Examples: “During the course of the Great Recession, many American businesses have gone belly up. Among them are Mervins, Borders Books, and the Good Guys.”
“One of the risks of being in a Silicon Valley start-up company is that many go belly up. However, when they succeed, the rewards can be great.”
What are some things which you have observe to “go belly up”? What caused them to fail? Try your hand at “go belly up” by writing a sentence in the comment section.
Is there a way to say “go belly up” in Chinese?
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