go pear-shaped

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR C1

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Figurative meaning

to go wrong, to fail in an awkward way

Why this phrase?

The origin is disputed; one theory pictures a balloon losing its round shape. Today it means a plan collapsing into a mess.

Example

“The whole event went pear-shaped when the speakers cancelled.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

go down in flames Informal · CEFR C1

To fail suddenly and completely.

can of worms Informal · CEFR B1

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

get out of hand Neutral · CEFR B1

To become impossible to control.

go downhill Neutral · CEFR B1

to become progressively worse in condition, quality, or performance

miss the boat Informal · CEFR B1

To lose a chance to do something by being too slow or late.

a hot potato Informal · CEFR B2

A controversial or awkward issue that no one wants to deal with.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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