balloon goes up, the
the balloon goes up
The situation becomes serious, critical, chaotic, or troublesome. Often used in the past tense ("the balloon went up"). If we don't get that shipment by Friday, the balloon goes up, and we lose the account. He tweeted it, and the balloon went up.
See also: balloon, goes, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
balloon goes up, the
The undertaking begins, as in He's going to announce his candidacy for mayor-the balloon goes up on Monday. This expression comes from World War I, when British artillery sent up a balloon to notify gunners to open fire, this visual signal being more reliable than courier or telephone. It was soon transferred to signal other kinds of beginning. [1915]
See also: balloon, goes
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- before the balloon goes up
- accident waiting to happen, an
- an accident waiting to happen
- an accident/a disaster waiting to happen
- come to such a pass
- come to a pretty pass
- twist in the wind
- twist in the wind, be left to
- twist slowly in the wind
- a pretty pass