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Synonyms

go downhill

Idioms  
  1. 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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Economic growth in the Southeast Asian nation is anaemic and there could still be an opportunity for Pheu Thai in future "if the economy continues to go downhill", Chambers said.

From Barron's Feb. 9, 2026

Let’s begin by celebrating the man whose year is only going to go downhill from here.

From Slate Jan. 4, 2025

"If I'm not eating properly then my chest will go downhill."

From BBC Aug. 5, 2024

‘We expect things to go downhill Wednesday night and through Thursday,” he said.

From New York Times Apr. 1, 2024

It was midsummer in the Antarctic: the weather from now on would begin to go downhill.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

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