skid (redirected from hitting the skids)

be on the skids (informal)

to be having a lot of problems and be likely to fail. I hear their space programme is on the skids.

hit the skids

1. to leave a place quickly. When his ex-girlfriend arrived at the party Ben really hit the skids.

2. to make a vehicle stop very suddenly. A car suddenly pulled out in front of us and Jake hit the skids.

3. to get into a very bad situation, especially by losing your money, home, or job. Poor old Dennis has really hit the skids since he split up with his wife.

See also: hit

put the skids under someone/something (British & Australian, informal)

to make something likely to fail. Opposition from local residents has put the skids under plans for a new nightclub.

skid row (mainly American, informal)

a poor area in a city where people who have no jobs and homes live in cheap rooms or sleep outdoors. She works as a social worker with alcoholics on skid row.

See also: row

skid-row (mainly American, informal)

skid row - a poor area in a city where people who have no jobs and homes live in cheap rooms or sleep outdoors. He ended up back in a skid-row hotel. (always before noun)

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hit the skids

to fail. His career really hit the skids after his divorce.

Usage notes: often used in the form on the skids failing: I can't believe that a whole industry is on the skids.

See also: hit