go south

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

go south

Micron is also getting upfront cash payments from customers that could ultimately approach $40 billion to $50 billion, which serve as a solid “break fee” if things go south, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

As consistent as the players have to be, everything can go south in a single frame.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 7, 2025

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

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2025

And then she left the cousin’s house to go south and see an aunt. . . and she seems to have vanished without trace en route.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

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