tailspin

[teyl-spin]

noun

1. spin.

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

verb (used without object)

tailspinned, tailspinning 

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

After Maduro took office in 2013, falling oil production and civil unrest sent the economy into a tailspin—raising questions in some friendly capitals over whether loans were being wasted on Caracas.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Although the Dutchman was only hired before the 2024-25 season—and delivered a title in his first season in charge—there’s little relief in English soccer for managers in a tailspin.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So what issues must Slot solve to ease that pressure, and fight off claims that Liverpool spent almost £450m in the summer only to send a successful team into a tailspin?

Read more on BBC

Geopolitical shocks that used to send the market into a tailspin now come and go, almost unnoticed.

Read more on Barron's

Early in the film, a chance reunion with an old acting-class buddy named Timothy, played by Crudup, sends him into an existential tailspin of doubt and regret.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• plunge 
• slide