Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

go under

phrasal verb

/ɡoʊ ˈʌndər/

Definition

To sink or collapse; to fail or be defeated.

Examples

After years of struggling, the business finally decided to go under.
If the storm gets worse, the ship might go under.
Many believe that without proper support, the project will go under before completion.

Meaning

The phrase ‘go under’ can refer to a physical scenario where something sinks into the water or to a metaphorical context where a business or person fails completely.