(one's) whole world came crashing down around (one)
One's entire outlook, circumstances, or lifestyle were negatively affected or altered (by some event). When I was rejected by the university that was my top choice, my whole world came crashing down around me. Lena's whole world came crashing down around her when her mom died, and it took a long time for her to find her way again. When I had to close my store, it felt like my whole world came crashing down around me. But it turned out to be the best thing because it allowed me to find my real passion in life—painting.
bring (something) crashing down (around) (one)
1. Literally, to cause something to fall violently to the ground. (In this usage, "around (one)" is not usually part of the phrase.) On demolition day, a crew will bring that old building crashing down. Something must have gone wrong—I seriously doubt the construction workers were trying to bring that tree crashing down around them. I know that stadium is 50 years old, but I still can't believe the city is going to bring it crashing down.
2. To cause a distressing failure, especially one that profoundly affects or disrupts one's life or identity. Getting laid off from my job brought everything crashing down around me. I suspect that her husband's sudden death has brought her own life crashing down around her. It takes time to process a loss like that. When I was rejected by the university that was my top choice, it brought my whole world crashing down around me.
crash and burn
1. Literally, to crash and catch fire. Typically said of a car or airplane. Her car crashed and burned, but she survived the accident. A bus crashed and burned, and emergency workers are on the scene now. It's a miracle there were any survivors after that plane crashed and burned.
2. To fail at something completely and dramatically. I really hope this business venture doesn't crash and burn—I'll be broke if it does. My attempt to make a speech before the whole student body really crashed and burned when I got on stage and forgot everything I was supposed to say. As usual, the politicians are oblivious to the fact that one of their foolish plans is about to crash and burn.
3. In sports, to experience a significant accident or crash and thus have to withdraw from a competition. Alex isn't competing today because she crashed and burned on her practice run last night. Call a medic! Liz really crashed and burned after clipping that gate on the slalom course. I have no interest in running hurdles after I crashed and burned on them last year.
crash around
To make a lot of noise while doing something. Dad woke us all up when he came home late and promptly crashed around the dark living room. You can always count on Patty to crash around in the kitchen while she's cooking. Pots and pans have never sounded louder! A: "What's all that racket?" B: "Oh, it's probably my brother crashing around from room to room—I'm pretty sure he's incapable of doing anything quietly."
crash at (someone's) place
To sleep at someone else's house, apartment, etc., for a temporary period of time. A: "Where were you last night?" B: "I missed the last bus home, so I just crashed at Ben's place." You can crash at my place while you're visiting the city! Hey, can I crash at your place tonight? My wife and I got into a pretty big fight and need some time apart to cool off.
crash down
1. Literally, to fall down or collapse, often noisily. When the tree crashed down in the woods, it woke us all up. Sorry for the commotion—some pots and pans crashed down in the kitchen. My goodness, did somebody just crash down the steps? Is she all right?
2. By extension, to result in disaster or lose all stability amidst drastic problems. When I lied on my resume to get my dream job, I really hoped it wouldn't all come crashing down around me—but, of course, it did. I've felt like my life is crashing down around me ever since my husband's sudden death. When your child falls seriously ill, it feels like the whole world just crashes down around you.
crash out
To escape from some place. That criminal did crash out, but he was caught only a mile from the prison. Though we tried to detain the robber until the cops came, he was able to crash out. A: "What was that sound?" B: "Oh dear, the dog crashed out of her pen."
crash through (something)
To physically break through some thing or barrier, often violently. The driver crashed through the guardrail and ended up in oncoming traffic. The attackers tore down a statue and used it to crash through the gates of the castle. If we let the puppy loose in here, won't he just crash through the baby's playpen?
crash to the floor
To fall to the floor, usually noisily. The picture frame fell off the wall and crashed to the floor. I only barely touched those pots and pans! I don't know why they crashed to the floor like that. This is life with toddlers—another day, another block tower crashing to the floor.
crash together
Of two or more things, to strike each other violently or noisily. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crash" and "together." Our cars crashed together in the middle of the intersection when the other driver ran a red light. My job in the percussion section of the marching band is to crash the symbols together. The kids are eagerly awaiting midnight, so they can go outside and crash pots and pans together in celebration of the new year.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bring something crashing down (around one)
1. Lit. to cause a structure to collapse and fall (on oneself). He hit the tent pole and brought the tent crashing down. When she removed the last vertical board, she brought the shed crashing down around her.
2. Fig. to destroy something, such as one's life and well-being, that one has a special interest in; to cause someone's basic orientation to collapse. She brought her whole life crashing down around her.
crash and burn
1. Lit. [for a plane or car] to crash and burst into flames. The small plane crashed and burned just after it took off.
2. Fig. to fail spectacularly. Poor Chuck really crashed and burned when he made his presentation at the sales meeting.
crash around
to move around in a noisy way Stop crashing around. I'm trying to study. The people upstairs were crashing around and I couldn't get any sleep.
crash down
(around someone or something) and crash down (about someone or something) 1. and crash in (on someone or something) Lit. [for something] to collapse on someone or something. The walls crashed in around the burning house. The branches of the tree crashed down on the roof. The old barn crashed down.
2. Fig. [for the structure and stability of one's life] to fall apart. Her whole life crashed down around her. Everything he was familiar with crashed down about him.
crash out (of some place)
to break out of some place, such as a prison. Max and Lefty crashed out of the state prison last week, but they were captured. They crashed out at midnight.
crash something together
to bring things together with great force, making a loud noise. Fred crashed the cymbals together and the sound could have wakened the dead. Don't crash those pans together. It drives me crazy.
crash to the floor
to fall onto the floor and make a crashing sound. The tray of dishes crashed to the floor. Everything crashed to the floor and was broken.
crash together
to ram or move together with great force. The two cars crashed together, making a loud noise. The ships crashed together, opening a gaping hole in the side of one of them.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.