How to Pronounce "belly up"
expression
ˈbɛɫi/ /ˈəp
BEL-ee UP
bˈɛli/ /ˈʌp
BEL-ee UP
Definition
"Belly up" is an informal expression that means something has failed, gone bankrupt, or stopped working. Literally, it can also describe an animal floating dead on its back.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbɛɫi/ /ˈəp
British English
bˈɛli/ /ˈʌp
Simplified Pronunciation
US
BEL-ee UP
UK
BEL-ee UP
Listen in Context
The store went belly up last year.
Their plan went belly up after the mistake.
Many restaurants went belly up during the crisis.
Our project’s going belly up if we don’t fix this soon.