go downhill

Idioms and Phrases

Deteriorate, worsen, as in Ever since the recession began, the business has been going downhill . The figurative use of downhill for “decline” dates from the mid-1800s. Also see downhill all the way .

Example Sentences

“When he got bit by the gubernatorial bug, things started to go downhill,” says Siegel.

From The Daily Beast

When the dorsolateral PFC goes tilt, things go downhill fast, cognitively speaking.

From The Daily Beast

And when he invites a wheelchair-bound guest to commiserate with him about his bubble-wrapped foot, things go downhill from there.

From The Daily Beast

And, ma'am, I know that his brother will be the ruin of John; he'll go downhill fast, as many a fine young fellow has done.

From Project Gutenberg

Since I began to go downhill everybody gives me a kick; you are the first people who have offered me a helping hand.

From Project Gutenberg

You are young, and it is my duty to let no young person go downhill without one warning word.

From Project Gutenberg

Before they left the summit of the divide to go downhill into the west, they halted for one last look back.

From Project Gutenberg

We therefore put brakes of rope under our runners when we were to go downhill.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decrease
• depreciate
• deteriorate
• diminish
• drop
• dwindle
• fail
• fall
• lower
• recede
• return
• sag
• shrink
• sink
• slide
• wane
• weaken
• worsen