belly up

If a business does this, it fails because it cannot pay its debts.

• The company went belly up.
• Several shops went belly up during the recession.
• Will the business go belly up if sales keep falling?

How to use it: go belly up (The company went belly up after losing its biggest customer.)

Similar words: go bankrupt, go bust, fail

Common phrases: go belly up, company goes belly up

To sit at a bar, counter, or table, ready to eat or drink.

• Belly up to the table, everyone!
• We bellied up to the counter for lunch.
• They were bellying up to the bar for their evening drinks.

How to use it: belly up to something (We bellied up to the kitchen table for breakfast.)

Similar words: sit down

Common phrases: belly up to something, belly up for dinner

Dead, or no longer working or operating.

• The fish was belly up in the pond.
• By morning, the old computer was belly up.
• Their business went belly up within a year.

Similar words: dead, defunct, finished

Opposites: alive, operational

Common phrases: go belly up, float belly up

To move close to a place eagerly or confidently, especially to order a drink.

• Belly up to the bar!
• He bellied up to the bartender and ordered a beer.
• The thirsty workers were bellying up to the drinks counter.

How to use it: belly up to someone/something (The customers bellied up to the counter to order their drinks.)

Similar words: approach, step up to

Common phrases: belly up to something, belly up to someone