Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
the balloon went up
idiom
ðə bəˈluːən wɛnt ʌp
Definition
A phrase used to indicate that a situation has escalated or come to a head, often suddenly and dramatically.
Examples
- When the last deal fell through, the balloon went up and everyone at the meeting was tense.
- As soon as the management announced the layoffs, the balloon went up in the office.
- During the heated debate, it felt like the balloon went up when someone raised their voice.
Meaning
This idiomatic expression suggests that a previously stable condition has changed unexpectedly, leading to a tense or chaotic situation.
Synonyms
- the situation escalated
- things got out of hand
- the drama intensified
