tailspin

American  

[teyl-spin] / ˈteɪlˌspɪn /

noun

1. spin.

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

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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 British  

/ ˈteɪlˌspɪn /

noun

1. aeronautics another name for spin

2. informal a state of confusion or panic

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tailspin Idioms  

1. see go into a tailspin.

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Etymology

Origin of tailspin

First recorded in 1910–15; tail ¹ + spin

Example Sentences

The final seasons of that drama swooned into a creative tailspin that “House of the Dragon” couldn’t pull out of.

From Salon

Late last year, the economy went into a tailspin, putting pressure on regular Iranians in ways that eventually caused tensions to explode.

From The Wall Street Journal

The obscure bank collapse that sent Iran into a tailspin.

From MarketWatch

California’s wine industry is in a tailspin due to Canadian boycotts of American alcohol.

From The Wall Street Journal

In November, an information vacuum during the government shutdown and scrutiny of AI’s returns sent markets into a tailspin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• plunge
• slide