Idioms

the bubble bursts

the bubble bursts

A period of unusually high success ends. A "bubble" describes something, typically a trend or market, that expands until it "pops" (fails). When the bubble bursts on these toys, a lot of people are going to be left with a lot of worthless trinkets. In the '90s, the bubble burst on Internet startups, but that didn't stop the success of online ventures.
See also: bubble, burst
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the bubble bursts

COMMON You say the bubble bursts to mean that a very successful or happy time ends. The bubble has burst. Crowds at the team's World League games are down from last year's 40,000 average to 22,000. After the internet bubble burst, you would have believed that no one wanted innovation. Note: You can also say that someone or something pricks the bubble when they cause something happy or successful to end. They fear to do anything that would prick the stock-market bubble. Note: The bubble referred to in these expressions is the South Sea Bubble, a financial disaster which took its name from The South Sea Company. In the early 18th century, this company took over the British national debt in return for a monopoly of trade with the South Seas. A lot of people invested in the company, but it crashed in 1720 and many investors became bankrupt.
See also: bubble, burst
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

the bubble ˈbursts

there is a sudden end to a good or lucky situation: When the bubble finally burst, hundreds of people lost their jobs.
See also: bubble, burst
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in classic literature
They tease him; the bubble bursts! A swing, a bursting bubble--such is my song!"
View in context
The moment the investment stream stops, the bubble bursts and a long and painful deleveraging period ensues.
Asset bubbles are dangerous and there is one right under our noses
It sees to me to repeat the mistake made in Ireland and Spain, in sinking all economic development into property, and when the bubble bursts we are left with huge debts and no means of paying them.
Wrong emphasis; LETTERS
Diversification and attention to the smaller projects for Bahraini people will bring more rewards when the bubble bursts.
Listen to the locals
This suggests that Chinese share prices could have much further to climb before the bubble bursts."
On China's stock market
"If the television rights change or the transfer system is changed, and the bubble bursts, it would have a massive impact on the game.
Football: Hoddle's warning
And when the bubble bursts, the mountains of money extracted from Wolseley, Associated British Foods and the rest will blow away in the wind.
City View: High price for Internet rush
in the midst of this hands-off foreplay the bubble bursts, and the dancers separate.
Albany Berkshire Ballet
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