Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
belly up. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
belly up, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
belly up in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
belly up you have here. The definition of the word
belly up will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
belly up, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Adjective
belly up (not comparable)
- (idiomatic) Dead or defunct.
After several financial failures, the organization went belly up.
Usage notes
Verb
belly up (third-person singular simple present bellies up, present participle bellying up, simple past and past participle bellied up)
- (idiomatic, intransitive) To gather close, or approach eagerly or assertively, as a bar for ordering alcoholic drinks.
He bellied up to the bar as soon as he saw a free stool.
- (intransitive) To die; to fail or go out of business.
- (intransitive, of a dog) To lay on the back with its belly up.
Derived terms