go into a tailspin

Idioms  

1. Lose emotional control, collapse, panic. For example, If she fails the bar exam again, she's sure to go into a tailspin. This expression alludes to the downward movement of an airplane out of control, in which the tail describes a spiral. [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

It all started well, with good early wins and the success of signings Andros Townsend Demarai Gray but injuries to key figures such as England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw Everton's season go into a tailspin.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2022

The straight-arrow life of a single mother begins to go into a tailspin when her drifter brother returns home.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2020

“What’s most important is to protect families and the victims that just do not want to go into a tailspin of depression and trauma and anxiety when this horror show comes to town,” Perlman said.

From Washington Times • Aug. 28, 2019

Overfishing may ensue and the already depressed population may go into a tailspin.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2018

The experience is a little dizzying at first -- the controls on the demo unit at CES were very sensitive, making it all too easy to go into a tailspin.

From Washington Post • Jan. 5, 2015