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

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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"When we came back, the tents, the flour, everything has gone. Nothing is left. It's all to pressure us to go south, but we don't have the money to go. We can't even afford flour to eat. Transport to the south costs 1,500 shekels."

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When things go south, they get drawn in deeper — Cane, reluctantly, and Harlan, almost enthusiastically.

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The final-round trip west has seen English touring hopes go south before.

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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