go under

fail financially or go bankrupt (a business or company)

B2

What does "go under" mean?

To 'go under' means that a business, company, or organisation collapses financially and can no longer continue operating. It captures the idea of being overwhelmed by debt or losses to the point of failure — similar to sinking beneath the surface. The phrase is used in everyday conversation, news reporting, and business journalism, making it a versatile and vivid way to describe economic collapse. It sits between the very informal 'go bust' and the more technical 'go into administration' or 'become insolvent', so it works across a wide range of contexts. Businesses of all sizes can 'go under' — from small local shops to major banks and airlines.

Examples

How to use it

subject (business) + go under

This is the core pattern. The business or organisation is always the subject, and the verb takes no object.

Three major airlines went under during the financial crisis.

nearly / almost / finally / eventually + go under

Adverbs like these are very commonly used with 'go under' to add nuance about how close the failure was or how long it took.

The bookshop almost went under last year before a local investor stepped in.

risk / be at risk of + going under

Use the gerund form 'going under' when the financial collapse is a possibility rather than a completed event.

Several smaller retailers are at risk of going under if consumer spending continues to fall.

could / might / would + go under

Modal verbs are often used with 'go under' to talk about a potential or conditional collapse.

The startup could go under within months if it doesn't secure more funding.

go under + during / after / because of + cause

It is common to add a phrase explaining the reason or timing of the financial failure.

Many family-owned businesses went under after losing their main supply contracts.

Common Collocations

the company went underthe bank went undernearly went underrisk going underthe business finally went underthe firm went under during the recession

Common Mistakes

Adding an object

'Go under' is intransitive — it never takes a direct object. The business that fails must always be the subject of the sentence, never the object.

✗ The recession went many firms under.
✓ Many firms went under during the recession.
Using the present continuous

'Go under' rarely sounds natural in the present continuous. To describe financial collapse, use the simple present, simple past, or a modal construction instead.

✗ The company is going under right now.
✓ The company has gone under. / The company could go under.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken conversation and written journalism. It is slightly more informal than 'go into administration' or 'become insolvent', but less slangy than 'go bust'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'go under' to talk about a person who loses all their money, not a business?

It's unusual. In the financial sense, the subject of 'go under' is almost always a company, firm, bank, or organisation — not an individual person. If you want to describe a person becoming bankrupt, it's more natural to say they 'went bankrupt' or 'lost everything'.

Does 'go under' always mean total collapse, or can it mean just serious financial trouble?

'Go under' implies complete failure — the business stops operating. It's stronger than simply 'struggling financially'. If you want to describe serious trouble without total collapse, phrases like 'nearly went under' or 'was on the verge of going under' are more accurate.

Is 'go under' the same as 'go into administration'?

Not exactly. 'Go into administration' refers to a specific legal process — mainly used in British English — where an outside manager takes control of a company to try to save it or pay off debts. 'Go under' means the business has fully collapsed and failed, with no suggestion of rescue.

Does 'go under' have other meanings, or does it always refer to business failure?

Yes, 'go under' has other meanings — for example, it can describe a ship or object sinking, or a person losing consciousness under anaesthetic. However, when the subject is a business, company, or organisation, the financial meaning is always intended. Context makes it clear.

Can I use 'go under' in a news article or formal report?

Yes, 'go under' is neutral enough to appear in journalism and business reporting. However, for very formal documents such as legal or financial reports, you might prefer 'become insolvent', 'go into liquidation', or 'cease trading'. In news writing and general business commentary, 'go under' is perfectly appropriate.

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