go under

USAGE SUMMARY

'go under' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
Example: The ship began to go under, as it quickly took on water.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He'll go under 9.90.

The New York Times - Sports

Split and go under.

The New Yorker

Banks go under.

The New York Times

Some banks might go under.

The New York Times

"Mike could go under that limbo pole.

The New York Times

One can go under strong furniture.

The New York Times

This should go under Yahya Ababneh's byline.

The New York Times

These braised leeks go under the bass.

The New York Times

Otherwise it could go under.

MIT Technology Review

And 99 of them will go under.

Yale University

Words go under water, surface, disappear again.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "go under" to describe a business failure, be specific about the reasons for the failure to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "go under" interchangeably with idioms like "go belly up", which also means to fail but carries a more informal connotation. "Go under" is versatile but consider the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go under" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It is used to describe an action or process, as shown in Ludwig examples, where something descends into water or fails financially. It indicates a change in state or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go under" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe physical submergence, business failure, or even being known by a specific name. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Its prevalence in news and academic contexts indicates its broad applicability. When using "go under", consider the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear, avoiding confusion with similar idioms. Common errors are usually associated with the specific meaning of the expression in a specific context. The authoritative sources like The New York Times or The Guardian confirm the expression is very frequent and neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail

This alternative refers specifically to the aspect of collapsing or not succeeding, especially in business or projects.

collapse

This alternative describes the sudden failure or breakdown of something, often a structure or organization.

sink

This alternative focuses on the physical action of submerging in water or other liquid.

be called

This alternative also refers to the act of bearing a particular name or designation.

be known as

This alternative emphasizes the act of being identified or called by a particular name.

founder

This alternative specifically means to fill with water and sink, mainly used for ships or boats.

be submerged

This alternative emphasizes the state of being completely covered by water or another liquid.

go bankrupt

This is a more direct alternative to specifically describe a state of financial ruin.

succumb

This alternative suggests yielding to pressure or an overwhelming force, leading to failure.

become bankrupt

This alternative is specifically related to the financial failure of a company or individual.

FAQs

How can I use "go under" in a sentence?

You can use "go under" in sentences such as: "The ship began to "go under" during the storm", or "Many businesses "go under" during a recession".

What does it mean when a company "goes under"?

When a company "goes under", it typically means it "fails" financially and is forced to close down or declare bankruptcy.

Which is the correct choice, "went under" or "gone under"?

"Went under" is the past tense form, while "gone under" is the past participle. Use "went under" for simple past tense and "gone under" with auxiliary verbs like "has", "have", or "had".

What are some synonyms for "go under" when referring to a ship sinking?

When referring to a ship sinking, you can use synonyms such as "sink", "founder", or "submerge".