Going South 🚀📉
Definition: To fail, go bankrupt, or decline.
Origins: The phrase likely draws from cartographic traditions where north is up and south is down, implying a downward trajectory when things “go south.” Alternatively, some believe it’s rooted in Sioux belief systems, suggesting an existential decline (“to die”). It gained popularity in business lingo in the mid-20th century.
Example in Literature: As seen in David Baldacci’s Hour Game (2004): “Dorothea’s become involved in some questionable real estate ventures that went south very recently.”
Synonyms: Go belly-up, hit rock bottom, end up in the red, tank, flop.
Antonyms: Succeed, ascend, flourish, thrive, soar.
Humorous Quotes:
- “If my plans were any more prone to ‘go south,’ I’d be relocating to Australia.” – Anonymous
- “Being an optimist is like carrying an umbrella to keep things from going south.” – Overly Prepared Businessman
Recommended Literature:
- Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis
- The Big Short by Michael Lewis
- Snakes in Suits by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare
Songs:
- “Collapse” by Rise Against
- “Down” by Jason Walker
- “Takin’ Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Movies:
- The Big Short (2015)
- Wall Street (1987)
- Boiler Room (2000)
Inspirational Farewell:
“Remember, even if your venture goes south, you’re only heading towards the warmth of new opportunities.”
### Which expression means to fail or decline?
- [x] Going South
- [ ] Raining Elephants
- [ ] Flying Pigs
- [ ] Swimming Upstream
> **Explanation:** "Going south" is a widely recognized idiom for failure or decline, particularly in business contexts.
### Identify the term with a similar meaning to "going south":
- [x] Go belly-up
- [ ] Take the elevator
- [ ] Reach for the stars
- [ ] Sunbathe on a glacier
> **Explanation:** "Go belly-up" shares the connotation of failure with "going south." The others are unrelated phrases.
### True or False: The phrase "going south" might have originated from cartographic references.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. One theory behind the phrase ties it to maps where north is up and south is down, symbolizing a decline.
### In which domain did "going south" become particularly common in the 20th century?
- [ ] Astronomy
- [ ] Botany
- [ ] Portrait Painting
- [x] Business
> **Explanation:** The idiom saw increased usage in the business world starting in the first half of the 20th century.
### What is an alternative explanation for the term "going south," apart from cartography?
- [ ] Meteorology
- [ ] Entomology
- [x] Native American (Sioux) belief system
- [ ] Greek Mythology
> **Explanation:** Apart from maps, another theory suggests that in some Native American (Sioux) traditions, the term "going south" meant "to die."
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Author: A. T. Metaphor,
October 1, 2023
