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Something going wrong or worsening
- The English idiom “go south” has a distinct meaning related to something going wrong or worsening. For instance, an English speaker may say that a deal is about to “go south,” meaning it is headed toward failure, or that profits are “going south” meaning that profits are decreasing.
www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-it-mean-if-things-go-south.htmWhat Does It Mean If Things "Go South"? - Language Humanities
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Sep 19, 2011 · From The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (1997): go south Deteriorate or decline, as in The stock market is headed south again. This expression is generally thought to allude to compasses and two-dimensional maps where north is up and south is down.
The phrase “head south” is a common idiom in the English language that refers to moving in a direction opposite to north. This expression has been used for centuries, and its origins can be traced back to various historical contexts.
If they were heading in the wrong direction, they would say they were “going south.” Regardless of its origins, this expression has become widely used in modern times and is often associated with failure or disappointment.
It is commonly used when giving directions or talking about travel plans. For example, if someone asks for directions to a specific location, you can say, 'You need to "head south" on this road for about 2 miles.'. To reach our destination, we need to head south on the highway.
May 23, 2024 · The English idiom “go south” has a distinct meaning related to something going wrong or worsening. For instance, an English speaker may say that a deal is about to “go south,” meaning it is headed toward failure, or that profits are “going south” meaning that profits are decreasing.
1. To escape; to vanish or disappear. (Not necessarily in a southerly direction.) Everyone in the gang headed south when they learned that the police had discovered their hideout. 2. To fall or drop; to depreciate; to lose quality or value. (Especially related to finances or stock exchanges.)
When the trend line on a graph turns downwards, it is said to be heading south. When markets fall, financial journalists and reporters often talk of markets heading south. In this sense, it is a relatively modern expression, and first appears in the 1920s.
