LookItUp

in the tank

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ɪn ðə ˈtæŋk/

in the tank means: Doing badly or staying at a very low level.

phrase

DOING BADLYC1

Doing badly or staying at a very low level.

  • Sales are in the tank.
  • The economy stayed in the tank all year.
  • With share prices in the tank, investors were worried.

Similar words: struggling, in decline, in a slump

Opposites: thriving

Common phrases: in the tank, still in the tank

IN RESERVEB2

Still available to use later, especially energy or strength.

  • I still have energy in the tank.
  • She had enough left in the tank for one final sprint.
  • Do you have anything in the tank after that long climb?

Similar words: in reserve, available

Common phrases: in the tank, something in the tank

BIASED SUPPORTC1

Strongly supporting a person or group, often without being fair to others.

  • That newspaper is in the tank for him.
  • She accused the network of being in the tank for one party.
  • Are these reporters in the tank for the government?

How to use it: in the tank for someone/something (Critics say the newspaper is in the tank for the mayor.)

Similar words: biased, partisan, supportive

Common phrases: in the tank, in the tank for someone

THINKING LONGC2

Taking a long time to decide what to do, especially during poker.

  • The poker player was in the tank.
  • After the large bet, she went in the tank for two minutes.
  • He stayed in the tank before finally folding.

Similar words: deliberating, thinking hard

Common phrases: in the tank, go in the tank

Questions about in the tank

What does in the tank mean?

Doing badly or staying at a very low level.

What is in the tank in other languages?

Türkçe: kötü durumda · Español: en declive · Français: en chute libre · Deutsch: im Keller · Italiano: in crisi · 日本語: 低迷している

How do you pronounce in the tank?

It is pronounced /ɪn ðə ˈtæŋk/.

How do you use in the tank in a sentence?

Sales are in the tank. The economy stayed in the tank all year.

Learn in the tank while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

in the tank in other languages

More words