How Do You Spell WENT BELLY?

Pronunciation: [wɛnt bˈɛlɪ] (IPA)

The phrase "went belly" refers to a situation where something or someone failed or went awry. The spelling of "belly" is straightforward with the IPA phonetic transcription [ˈbɛli]. However, the origin and meaning of "went belly" are uncertain, with some suggesting it comes from the image of a dead animal with its belly exposed. Others believe it comes from a sailor's term for a ship that had capsized, and the sailors were left floating belly-up in the water. Regardless of its origins, "went belly" remains a common idiom to describe a failure.

WENT BELLY Meaning and Definition

1. "Went belly" is an informal colloquial expression or idiom often used to describe a situation or outcome where something fails or goes wrong. It is derived from the phrase "went belly-up," which originated from the behavior of dead fish that float belly-up in water bodies.

   When something or someone "went belly," it means that they experienced a significant setback, disappointment, or failure. The term is commonly used to refer to business ventures, projects, plans, or even personal relationships that have not been successful. It implies a sudden and drastic downfall, typically characterized by financial ruin, a collapse, or a complete deterioration of a once-promising situation.

   Using the phrase "went belly" to describe a situation emphasizes the negative aspect and the drastic change in fortune. It conveys a sense of disappointment, frustration, or even resignation towards the outcome. This expression is frequently employed in casual conversations, informal writing, or to add color to storytelling, where conveying a vivid and relatable description of a failed situation is desired.

   For example, if someone invested a significant amount of money into a business or stock that subsequently failed, they might say, "My investment went belly, and I lost everything." Similarly, if a major construction project fails due to unforeseen circumstances, someone might remark, "The project went belly, and now we have to start from scratch."

Common Misspellings for WENT BELLY

• qent belly
• aent belly
• sent belly
• eent belly
• 3ent belly
• 2ent belly
• wwnt belly
• wsnt belly
• wdnt belly
• wrnt belly
• w4nt belly
• w3nt belly
• webt belly
• wemt belly
• wejt belly
• weht belly
• wenr belly
• wenf belly
• weng belly

Etymology of WENT BELLY

The phrase "went belly up" most likely originates from nautical terminology. In the 19th century, when a ship sank, it would tip up and its belly (bottom) would be exposed, indicating its defeat or failure. This metaphorical expression then expanded into common usage beyond maritime contexts. The word "went" simply functions as the past tense of "go". Hence, to "go belly up" means to fail or go bankrupt.