tailspin

[ teyl-spin ]

noun

1. spin ( def 23 ).
2. a sudden and helpless collapse into failure, confusion, or the like.

verb (used without object)

, tail·spinned, tail·spin·ning.

1. to take or experience a sudden and dramatic downturn:

   After the mill closes, the local economy may tailspin.

tailspin

/ ˈteɪlˌspɪn /

noun

1. aeronautics another name for spin
2. informal.
   a state of confusion or panic

Word History and Origins

Origin of tailspin¹

First recorded in 1910–15; tail ¹ + spin

Idioms and Phrases

see go into a tailspin .

Example Sentences

The various schemes and lost money sent the agency meant to foster economic development in the Shenandoah Valley area into a tailspin, with several civil lawsuits still pending.

From Washington Post

Molly Shannon and Case Walker in The Other TwoThe attention throws Cary’s life into a tailspin, a clever narrative device that reveals how Chase’s fame impacts his siblings.

From The Daily Beast

Since that day in mid-June, Chicago has gone into a full tailspin, losing 19 of its past 25 games.

From FiveThirtyEight

Domitrovich’s business challenges no longer stem from wary diners or capacity limits that sent sales volume into a tailspin last year.

From Time

Not only is GameStop in a tailspin, but traders are quickly unwinding Monday’s silver rally.

From Fortune

Shockingly, it was not the mass gay-and-straight wedding that sent some of his peers into a tailspin that bothered Beck.

From The Daily Beast

So there we have it: another lewd, dull-witted performance has sent America into a tailspin of indignation.

From The Daily Beast

Then a white supremacist started talking segregation and everything went into a tailspin.

From The Daily Beast

Russia-U.S. relations were in a tailspin when Obama entered office.

From The Daily Beast

Today, it is widely assumed that a default in Greece will send the world into a financial and then economic tailspin.

From The Daily Beast

As she stepped inside this gigantic barrel her mind went into a tailspin.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, he had all but gone into a tailspin, and that with his motor thundering at its best.

From Project Gutenberg

Instantly the heavy plane went into a tailspin and plunged earthward.

From Project Gutenberg

She side-slipped, her nose dipped down, an she went into a tailspin.

From Project Gutenberg

A warning from the observation towersomebody was in tailspin.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• plunge
• slide