down the tubes

down the tube(s)

Awry; in a state of deterioration or failure. You got a C average? Boy, your grades have really gone down the tubes this semester. We had big plans for our trip, but the terrible weather made it all go down the tube. My father's company is now going down the tubes because of the incompetent new CEO.

See also: down

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

down the tubes

Also, down the tube. Into a state of failure or ruin, as in If he failed the test, his chances went down the tubes. ] Colloquial; 1960s] Also see down the drain.

See also: down, tube

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.