go south

1. 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

Stick also claimed the majority of the decisions against Italy did not go South Africa's way.

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So how many of these borderline investments would have to go south before the fund’s net asset value gets whacked?

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The whale’s belly groaned with hunger, and he said, “I’d better chase down those squid before they go south too.”

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Some say they cannot afford to go south, while others say southern Gaza is not safe as Israel has carried out air strikes there too.

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Some have said they attempted to go south but were unable to pitch their tents, so returned to Gaza City.

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Related Words

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