tailspin

[ teyl-spin ]

/ ˈteɪlˌspɪn /

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noun Also tail spin .

spin (def. 23).

a sudden and helpless collapse into failure, confusion, or the like.

verb (used without object), tail·spinned, tail·spin·ning.

to take or experience a sudden and dramatic downturn: After the mill closes, the local economy may tailspin.

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Origin of tailspin

First recorded in 1910–15; tail¹ + spin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use tailspin in a sentence

The effort to sterilize his image first began when Epstein hired Los Angeles-based spin doctors Sitrick Co.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Although he brings a Western spin to things, he seems equally inspired by the local sense of style.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech|Liza Foreman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Spin control began, Florida-style: the opinion only covers some counties, some people, some times.
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
David Greenberg at Rutgers University has a book coming out next year on political spin.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Aaron Paul may play a young Han Solo in the first Star Wars spin-off.
Juiciest ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Rumors (and Some Debunked Ones)|Rich Goldstein|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The dog stood with hanging head and tail, as if ashamed he had let so many of his enemies get away unharmed.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
The Arab pricked his ears, swished his long and arched tail viciously, and showed the whites of his eyes.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
It was no worm that Mrs. Robin had found, but Grandfather Mole's hairless tail sticking out of the ground.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
And there shall be no work for Egypt, to make head or tail, him that bendeth down, or that holdeth back.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
That was not the exact word that he used, but he expressed it by beating his tail against the table and giving a long howl.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd

British Dictionary definitions for tailspin

tailspin

/ (ˈteɪlˌspɪn) /

noun

aeronautics another name for spin (def. 16)

informal a state of confusion or panic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with tailspin

tailspin

see go into a tailspin.

tailspin

Origin of tailspin

Words related to tailspin

How to use tailspin in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tailspin

Other Idioms and Phrases with tailspin