tailspin

noun

tail·​spin ˈtāl-ˌspin 

1

: spin sense 2a

2

: a mental or emotional letdown or collapse

3

: a sustained and usually severe decline or downturn

stock prices in a tailspin

Synonyms

• breakdown
• crack-up
• nervous breakdown

Examples of tailspin in a Sentence

Stock prices are in a tailspin.

The team went into a tailspin and lost six straight games.

Recent Examples on the Web

About two decades ago, an economic tailspin plunged the country into deep debt and austerity, dwarfing Greeks’ employment prospects and leading to their emigration for better opportunities abroad. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 16 Sep. 2024

Now, years into my career, most things that once caused a tailspin no longer do. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

Then the legal challenges, which include two multi-state lawsuits, sent the plan into a tailspin for borrowers and loan servicers alike. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2024

In a series of Instagram posts over the weekend, Handler revealed the exchange with Fuld, which occurred just before Lehman’s fall sent the global economy into a tailspin. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tailspin

noun

tail·​spin ˈtā(ə)l-ˌspin 

: spin entry 2 sense 3