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go under

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go under

 

1. to sink beneath the surface of the water. After capsizing, the ship went under very slowly. I was afraid that our canoe would go under in the rapidly moving water.

2. Fig. [for something] to fail. The company went under exactly one year after it opened. We tried to keep it from going under.

3. Fig. to become unconscious from anesthesia. After a few minutes, she went under and the surgeon began to work. Tom went under and the operation began.

go under

 (someone or something)

1. to pass beneath someone or something. The boats went under us as we stood on the bridge. The boat went under the bridge.

2. to belong beneath someone or something. That box goes under the bed. All the Christmas presents go under the tree after the children are asleep.

go under

to fail financially Nothing could be done to keep his business from going under.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of go under (to sink below the surface of some water)

go under

1. Suffer defeat or destruction; fail. For example, We feared the business would go under after the founder died. [Mid-1800s]

2. Lose consciousness. For example, Ether was the first anesthetic to make patients go under quickly and completely. This usage dates from the 1930s.

3. Submerge, sink, as in This leaky boat is about to go under.

go under

v.

1. To move to a place beneath something: The dog went under the table.

2. To sink or descend below the surface: The divers went under three times that afternoon. The ship leaked so badly that it finally went under.

3. To fail. Used especially of businesses and enterprises: That big department store went under last year because of the fire.

4. To suffer defeat or destruction: The enemy went under after a long battle.

5. To lose consciousness: The surgeons gave me a strong anesthetic, and I quickly went under.