operation went down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operation went down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a planned operation or activity has failed or been interrupted. Example: "The operation went down due to unforeseen circumstances, leaving the team scrambling for a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"First there were 10 minutes on the bike -- that wasn't too bad once the swelling from the operation went down -- then 10 minutes running uphill on a treadmill, 5 minutes forward and 5 minutes back.

The New York Times

Amazon's entire European operation went down tonight for about 45 minutes tonight, but the sites are now back up again.

TechCrunch

Watch Blinken recount how the operation went down in the video clip above, and catch his full HuffPost Live conversation here.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When a communications line important to the network's operation goes down, as one did last summer when a freight-train fire in Baltimore damaged a fiber-optic loop, data works its way around the trouble.

The New York Times - Tech

The city's zoning department sent an inspector to give notice of eviction to the 13-employee company after the NewsObserver ran a feature story on Deja Mi, Miller, and the homegrown operation going down in Miller's basement.

TechCrunch

I was interested in how the Canopy operation goes down, so I called its founder and CEO, Patrick Rea.

Vice

Result: Cash flow from operations went down 30%, despite earnings growth of 14%.

Forbes

"And operation costs went down 50 percent — so the camp could accept more refugees".

The New York Times

But after a sting operation that went down between Tuesday and yesterday, things might be a bit safer in the city that never sleeps.

TechCrunch

After a fruitless investigation that involved undercover librarians, Porrett eventually caught the pair in an elaborate sting operation and they went down for six months each.

The Guardian - Books

A vote to provide an additional $163 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan went down in a surprise defeat, at least temporarily, because of objections from members of both parties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "operation went down" when you want to convey a sense of unexpected failure or disruption, especially in a context where a plan or process was actively underway.

Common error

While "operation went down" is acceptable, it can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "operation failed" or "operation was unsuccessful" for increased clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operation went down" functions primarily as a descriptive statement, indicating the failure, disruption, or cessation of a planned activity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "operation went down" is a phrase used to describe the failure, disruption, or termination of a planned activity. While grammatically correct and understandable, Ludwig AI states it's essential to consider the context and audience when using this phrase. While this phrase commonly appears in News & Media and generally implies a neutral register, it may be better to opt for more formal alternatives like "operation failed" in professional or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operation failed

Replaces "went down" with a more direct term for failure.

operation collapsed

Suggests a more sudden and complete failure.

operation was unsuccessful

A more formal way of saying the operation didn't succeed.

operation was disrupted

Highlights an interruption or disturbance to the operation.

operation was terminated

Indicates a formal ending or cancellation of the operation.

operation ceased

Implies the operation stopped completely.

the plan fell through

A more general term for a plan failing.

the project was scrapped

Suggests the project was abandoned or canceled.

the initiative backfired

Highlights a negative outcome as a result of the operation.

the effort was in vain

Emphasizes the lack of positive results despite effort.

FAQs

How can I use "operation went down" in a sentence?

You can use "operation went down" to describe a failure or disruption. For example, "The sting "operation" that went down between Tuesday and yesterday, things might be a bit safer in the city that never sleeps."

What are some alternatives to "operation went down"?

Alternatives include "operation failed", "operation collapsed", or "operation was unsuccessful". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "operation went down" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "operation went down" leans toward informal. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "operation failed" or "operation was disrupted".

What does "operation went down" mean?

"Operation went down" implies that a planned activity or "operation" failed or was disrupted. It suggests an unexpected or unwanted halt to progress.