circle the drain
Approaching inevitable end
Circle the drain describes a gradual decline toward failure, death, or collapse.
The image is of water spiraling downward before disappearing: The company has been circling the drain since the merger.
Often used for someone dying slowly or a situation deteriorating beyond rescue: After the scandal, his career just circled the drain for years.
Grow worse over time
- worsenBecome more severe
- fadeLose intensity gradually
- waneDecrease gradually
- ebbGradual retreat seaward
dwindle · diminish · falter · weaken · sink · languish · slump · crumble
Certain to occur
- impendingSoon to occur
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
- terminalAt the endpoint
- endgameConcluding phase of competition
death spiral · last gasp · writing on the wall · countdown · precipice · brink · abyss · point of no return
Flaw in one's nature
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- palliativeOffering relief, not remedy
- hospiceTerminal illness comfort program
- end-stageFinal, irreversible phase
terminal · life support · code blue · flatline · last rites · deathbed · fading fast · touch and go
Legal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- failingFlaw in one's nature
- underwaterBelow the surface
- hemorrhagingExcessive blood loss
red ink · layoffs · downsizing · liquidation · foreclosure · bailout · restructuring · Chapter 11
deteriorate
Grow worse over time
ebb · dwindle · diminish · falter · weaken · sink · languish · slump · crumble · spiral
inevitable
Certain to occur
- impendingSoon to occur
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
- terminalAt the endpoint
endgame · death spiral · last gasp · writing on the wall · countdown · precipice · brink · abyss · point of no return · death knell
failing
Flaw in one's nature
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- palliativeOffering relief, not remedy
- hospiceTerminal illness comfort program
end-stage · terminal · life support · code blue · flatline · last rites · deathbed · fading fast · touch and go · hanging on
bankruptcy
Legal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- failingFlaw in one's nature
- underwaterBelow the surface
hemorrhaging · red ink · layoffs · downsizing · liquidation · foreclosure · bailout · restructuring · Chapter 11 · creditors
futile
Incapable of producing results
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- desperateDriven by urgent need
bleak · grim · dire · doomed · helpless · powerless · resigned · giving up · throwing in the towel · sinking ship
circle the drainrecover
Regain health or possession
bounce back · turn the corner · pull through · get better · on the mend
circle, circles, circled, circling, circular, circularity, circulate, circulation, circulatory