tailspin
Translation
tailspin, downward spiral, nosedive
Examples
The plane went into a tailspin.
The plane went into a tailspin.
The economy is in a tailspin.
The economy is in a tailspin.
Grammar Patterns
to go into a tailspin to begin a rapid decline The plane went into a tailspin.
to be in a tailspin to be in a state of rapid decline The economy is in a tailspin.
Similar Words
Synonyms: nosedive, downward spiral, crisis; Antonyms: recovery, upswing
Etymology
From 'tail' + 'spin', describing the uncontrolled spinning descent of an aircraft.
Memory Tips
Picture a plane's tail spinning wildly as it falls, a powerful image for a situation spiralling out of control.