tailspin — (n.) downward spiraling dive of an aircraft, 1916, from TAIL (Cf. tail) (n.1) + SPIN (Cf. spin) (n.). Figurative sense of state of loss of control is from 1928 … Etymology dictionary
tailspin — ► NOUN ▪ a spin by an aircraft … English terms dictionary
tailspin — [tāl′spin΄] n. 1. SPIN (n. 5): also tail spin 2. a state of rapidly increasing depression or confusion … English World dictionary
tailspin — noun a) The rapid, uncontrollable descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral. The loss of the third engine threw the plane into a tailspin. b) A severe mental or emotional … Wiktionary
tailspin — n. to go into a tailspin * * * to go into a tailspin … Combinatory dictionary
tailspin — tail|spin [ˈteılˌspın] n [C usually singular] 1.) in/into a tailspin in or into a bad situation that keeps getting worse in a way that you cannot control ▪ Raising interest rates could send the economy into a tailspin . 2.) when a plane falls… … Dictionary of contemporary English
tailspin — tail|spin [ teıl,spın ] noun singular 1. ) INFORMAL an occasion when something or someone suddenly gets into a very bad state: sending the nation s financial markets into a tailspin 2. ) an occasion when an airplane falls in the sky with its NOSE … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
tailspin — UK [ˈteɪlˌspɪn] / US noun [singular] 1) an occasion when a plane falls in the sky with its nose (= front part) downwards and its tail (= end part) spinning in a very wide circle The plane went into a tailspin. 2) informal an occasion when… … English dictionary
tailspin — See: GO INTO A TAILSPIN … Dictionary of American idioms
tailspin — See: GO INTO A TAILSPIN … Dictionary of American idioms
