Definition

Adjective 1. Financially ruined; bankrupt: Describes a business, organization, or venture that has failed and ceased operations, typically due to insolvency. It implies a state of complete financial collapse. 2. Defeated or defunct: Can be used more informally to describe any endeavor or project that has failed completely and is no longer functioning.

Usage

The word "belly-up" is an informal, idiomatic adjective. It is most commonly used in business and financial contexts to describe the failure of a company. It is almost always used after a linking verb like "go" or "be."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • After the economic crisis, dozens of small businesses went belly-up.
  • The startup was belly-up within a year of launching.
  • Without more investment, the project will go belly-up.

Advanced Usage

• "to go belly-up": This is the most common phrasal construction. It describes the process or event of becoming bankrupt or failing.
  • The famous restaurant chain finally went belly-up after years of declining sales.

Variants and Related Words

• Bankrupt (adj/n/v): The formal legal and financial term for being unable to pay debts.
• Insolvent (adj): Technically unable to pay debts as they fall due.
• Defunct (adj): No longer existing or functioning (can apply to organizations, systems, or ideas).

Synonyms

• Bankrupt
• Ruined
• Failed
• Out of business
• Defunct

Related Idioms

• "Go under": To fail, especially in business.
  • Many stores went under during the recession.
• "Go bust": To become bankrupt.
  • The company went bust after the scandal.

Adjective

1. financially ruined
   • a bankrupt company
   • the company went belly-up