1 C1 idiomatic slang
Of an aircraft: to crash into the ground in an uncontrolled, spiraling, nose-first dive.
"The engine failed and the biplane augered in just beyond the airfield perimeter."
inseparable
auger in
C1 slang inseparable intransitive
Aviation slang for an aircraft crashing nose-first into the ground in a spiraling motion.
In plain English
When a plane spins around and crashes straight down into the ground like a drill.
What does "auger in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
(Figurative) To fail suddenly and completely, especially in a spectacular or irreversible way.
"The startup augered in after the CEO resigned and funding dried up overnight."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To drill in like an auger (a corkscrew-shaped boring tool).
Actually means
When a plane spins around and crashes straight down into the ground like a drill.
Usage tip
Highly specialized aviation and military slang. An 'auger' is a spiral drilling tool; the phrase vividly describes a spinning, nose-first crash. Rarely used outside aviation circles. Can be used figuratively for any sudden, catastrophic failure. Learners are unlikely to need to use this phrase actively.
Words that pair with "auger in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
aircraft plane pilot crash spiral ground
How to conjugate "auger in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
auger in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
augers in
he/she/it
Past simple
augered in
yesterday
Past participle
augered in
have + pp
-ing form
augering in
continuous
Hear "auger in" in the wild
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