on the skids
Heading toward failure
On the skids describes a person, organization, or situation in decline—failing, deteriorating, or headed for ruin.
The image is of something sliding downward, out of control: His career has been on the skids since the scandal.
A marriage on the skids is falling apart.
A business on the skids is approaching failure.
- downfallSudden loss of power
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
- collapseSudden structural failure
- slipMinor error or misstep
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
going downhill · gutter · bankruptcy · slide · hard times · hopelessness · rock bottom · fallen on hard times · grease · ruin · decay · tumble · washed-up · slump · despair · volatility · jeopardy · losing streak
- declinedecline, in decline, decrease, downswing, diminish
on the skidson the rise
Becoming greater or more
on the up and up · ascending · going places · on a roll · thriving
on the skidsstable
Secure and unchanging
solid · secure · well-established · in good shape · in the black
on the skidsthriving
Succeeding vigorously
flourishing · prospering · booming · doing well · in good shape