go south

Idioms and Phrases

Deteriorate or decline, as in The stock market is headed south again . This expression is generally thought to allude to compasses and two-dimensional maps where north is up and south is down. However, among some Native Americans, the term was a euphemism for dying, and possibly this sense led to the present usage. [ Slang ; first half of 1900s] Also see go west .

Example Sentences

With two balls to go, South Africa needed 38 runs to win the Women's T20 World Cup.

From BBC

"As a mum you don't want to leave a mess behind if things go south," she said.

From BBC

“And if things go south, my name is pronounced Martin Short,” added Eugene Levy.

From Los Angeles Times

When you have Rudy Giuliani or Cleta Mitchell or Sidney Powell involved, it's all going to go south.

From Salon

It is the point where it can go south for some footballers - trying to fashion the next stage in a career that has left then awash with time and cash, but short of options and impetus.

From BBC

Related Words

• abandon
• depart
• die
• die out
• dissipate
• dissolve
• escape
• evaporate
• expire
• fade
• flee
• fly
• go
• leave
• melt
• perish
• recede
• retire
• retreat
• sink