tailspin
a sudden and helpless collapse into failure, confusion, or the like.
to take or experience a sudden and dramatic downturn: After the mill closes, the local economy may tailspin.
Origin of tailspin
1Words Nearby tailspin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tailspin in a sentence
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.
Federal charges filed against former EDA director in Front Royal | Antonio Olivo | August 31, 2021 | Washington PostMolly 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.
‘The Other Two’ Roasted Justin Bieber and Became TV’s Funniest Millennial Comedy | Kevin Fallon | August 25, 2021 | The Daily BeastSince that day in mid-June, Chicago has gone into a full tailspin, losing 19 of its past 25 games.
This Trade Deadline Could Break Up The Cubs’ Almost-Dynasty | Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com) | July 16, 2021 | FiveThirtyEightDomitrovich’s business challenges no longer stem from wary diners or capacity limits that sent sales volume into a tailspin last year.
This Should Be a Boom Time for Restaurants. But Owners—and the Few Workers Remaining—Are Struggling | Emily Barone | June 29, 2021 | TimeNot only is GameStop in a tailspin, but traders are quickly unwinding Monday’s silver rally.
Shockingly, it was not the mass gay-and-straight wedding that sent some of his peers into a tailspin that bothered Beck.
He's Back! Glenn Beck Says Obama Will Throw Opponents in Internment Camps | Caitlin Dickson | February 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSo there we have it: another lewd, dull-witted performance has sent America into a tailspin of indignation.
Miley Cyrus: The Nadir of American Civilization? | Tunku Varadarajan | August 28, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThen a white supremacist started talking segregation and everything went into a tailspin.
CPAC Panel on Transcending Racist Label Breaks Down Into Verbal Chaos | Caitlin Dickson | March 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTRussia-U.S. relations were in a tailspin when Obama entered office.
Today, it is widely assumed that a default in Greece will send the world into a financial and then economic tailspin.
As she stepped inside this gigantic barrel her mind went into a tailspin.
Hour of Enchantment | Roy J. SnellYes, he had all but gone into a tailspin, and that with his motor thundering at its best.
Riddle of the Storm | Roy J. SnellInstantly the heavy plane went into a tailspin and plunged earthward.
Riddle of the Storm | Roy J. SnellShe side-slipped, her nose dipped down, an she went into a tailspin.
Famous Flyers | David Goodger (goodger@python.org)A warning from the observation towersomebody was in tailspin.
Famous Flyers | David Goodger (goodger@python.org)
British Dictionary definitions for tailspin
/ (ˈteɪlˌspɪn) /
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
see go into a tailspin.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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