come unstuck

come unstuck

To encounter setbacks or fail altogether. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Boy, this party is really coming unstuck. First, there was the issue with the caterer, and now half the guests aren't coming. Their marriage eventually came unstuck after he discovered that his wife was having an affair. I thought I would be able to get a lot of people to sign my petition, but things are really coming unstuck now. I'll be lucky if I can scrounge up 10 signatures!

See also: come, unstuck

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

come unstuck

BRITISH, INFORMAL

COMMON If someone or something comes unstuck, they fail. Australia's Greg Norman came badly unstuck in the third round of the Memorial golf tournament yesterday. Past promises about multimedia have come unstuck thanks to inadequate technology. Note: The usual American expression is come unglued.

See also: come, unstuck

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

come unstuck

fail completely. informal

2001 Irish Examiner A Leinster victory would put the quarter-finals within touching distance, especially if French champions Toulouse come unstuck at Newcastle.

See also: come, unstuck

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

come unˈstuck

(British English, informal) be unsuccessful; fail: His plan to escape came badly unstuck. ♢ She came unstuck in the last part of the exam.

See also: come, unstuck

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017