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

Explanation

When a plane goes into a tailspin, it rotates as it dives toward the ground. While pilots sometimes go into a deliberate tailspin, an unexpected tailspin would be terrifying. Because of the dramatic nature of an aircraft's tailspin, the word is also used figuratively to mean "a chaotic or panicked situation or state." Getting terrible news sends some people into a tailspin, while others are able to somehow stay calm. The word dates from about 1915, and the figurative meaning first appeared in print in the 1930s.

Example Sentences

The return of market volatility or a technological setback could immediately send the stocks into a tailspin.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

The defense sector’s tailspin comes against the backdrop of gains heading into the conflict.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

After recovering from a brief emotional tailspin, Noonan knocked out the script for “The Shape of Something Squashed” — then directed and acted in the film.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Supply-chain shocks and economic downturns could send every memory-maker into a tailspin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

While the German economy was in a tailspin toward disaster, the Roaring Twenties were in full swing in America.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• plunge
• slide