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3. go belly up

go belly up

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go belly up

to fail My company announced layoffs, so I found another job, and then my new company went belly up.

Usage notes: usually said about business and other organizations

Etymology: based on the idea of a dead animal found lying on its back, with its belly (stomach) facing up

See also: belly, up

go belly up

  (informal)

if a business goes belly up, it fails Factories and farms went belly up because of the debt crisis.

See also: belly, up

go belly up

verb

See turn belly up

See also: belly, up