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Definition

To become unfavorable; to decrease; to take a turn for the worse.

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Origins

(become worse): The origin is unclear. Common belief attributes it to the standard orientation of maps, where south is the downwards direction; in this regard, compare also go downhill, decline, and drop off. Alternatively, it could stem from a euphemism used by some Native Americans for dying.

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In Context

  • "I should have walked away from the casino when my luck went south, but I stayed and ended up in the hole."
  • "I still had 5 miles (8 km) or so to go to cross the river when all of the controls went south. The bird pitched up, shuddered, rolled right like it was going to spin […]"
  • "There was only one more guard between her and her goal, and despite her preparation, it almost all went south. The woman walked out of a door Fina hadn't even known was there, nearly bowling her over, and it was all she could do to bring the butt of the rifle up to smash the insurgent's nose in. She cried out, and Fina brought the butt 'round again, and this time the bone must have pierced the brain because the body went limp with a final, plaintive gurgle."
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Also Said As

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Related Idioms

t

take a turn for the worse

To start to become worse; to worsen.

 n

necessary evil

An unfavorable thing that must be done or accepted, especially because…

 g

go left

To take a turn for the worse, to go horribly wrong.

 i

in the green tree … in the dry

In a better situation as against a worse one; used chiefly in rhetoric…

 t

turn one's color

To change color, especially to become pale or red in the face.

 t

turn turtle

To become upset.
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