To fail completely, especially of a business, or to move up close to something.
When a business or plan dies and stops working, like a dead fish floating on its back.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
Of a business, plan, or venture: to fail completely and cease to operate.
"The restaurant went belly up after just six months because of poor management."
The company went belly up, leaving hundreds of workers without jobs.
— Common journalistic usage, widely attested in publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian.
To move up close to something, typically a counter or bar, in order to stand right in front of it.
"After a long day on the slopes, they bellied up to the bar and ordered hot drinks."
To turn so that the belly (stomach) faces upward — as a dead fish does.
When a business or plan dies and stops working, like a dead fish floating on its back.
The 'go belly up' form is more common than 'belly up' alone for the failure sense. The 'approach' sense (belly up to the bar) is mainly North American. The image comes from dead fish that float belly-up.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "belly up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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