down the tube

down the tube(s)

Awry; in a state of deterioration or failure. You got a C average? Boy, your grades have really gone down the tubes this semester. We had big plans for our trip, but the terrible weather made it all go down the tube.
See also: down
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

down the tube (or tubes)

lost or wasted. informal
2001 High Country News I've already lost my alfalfa crop; that's about $20,000 down the tubes.
See also: down, tube
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • down the tube(s)
  • down the tubes
  • chute
  • down the chute
  • go to the dogs
  • gone to pot
  • go to pot
  • flooey
  • get off on the wrong foot
  • bad break
References in classic literature
Maston knew no bounds, and he narrowly escaped a frightful fall while staring down the tube. But for the strong hand of Colonel Blomsberry, the worthy secretary, like a modern Erostratus, would have found his death in the depths of the Columbiad.
From The Earth To The Moon
Castor oil is thick and won't run down the tube so you need a large (140 cc) syringe to force the warm oil (mixed with a little warm water) down the tube.
HOW TO TREAT Colicky Calf Bloat: A calf stretched out showing the discomfort he's experiencing, trying to relieve the gas pains
Zamrud also requested the court to ensure the supply of water via alternate channels before shutting down the tube wells.
Islamabad suffering water shortage owing to tube well use: CJP
Slimming down the tube shape, the new REACTO is now more aero, and 17.13% lighter than the old version.
Bahrain Merida team vying for Tour de France
Carter then introduced the rest of the award-winners down the tube as they came on to stage.
DAN'S PERFECT DINNER HOST.. EVEN BY VIDEO; RUGBY SPY; ALL THE NEWS FROM THE OVAL OFFICE
Members of four unions walked out for the second time last week, closing down the Tube system, causing travel chaos.
Fresh talks over Tube night work; TRANSPORT
So Abid Fahed had his sights set on a proposed drama 'Al Malik Al Namroud', but when that project went down the tube, he quickly switched gears to get the ball rolling alongside Lebanese lovely Nadine Njeim in a Lebanese drama titled "Law" (If) with producer Sadeq Al Sabah.
Abid Fahed is 'IF'y about Nadine Njeim
In order to calm down the protesters, Wasa closed down the tube well on the pretext that dust is mixing in the water due to underground land sliding and water supply will be resumed within two days.
Dysfunctional tube well deepens water crisis in Sadiqabad
Sixty fund managers under shortterm pressures sealed the fate of Cadbury's pounds 11.7 billion takeover by Kraft, sending "180 years of history down the tube", a new book reveals.
Book sheds new light on Cadbury takeover
On Sunday, Randi Zuckerberg, the sister of facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and director of market development at the social networking giant told delegates at GITEX in Dubai that: "Privacy is the number one most important thing for facebook" and that "the second we violate that trust our business is down the tube".
Breach in privacy
* OVERTAKE A LEAK: If you suspect the tube is leaking, fill a spray bottle with soapy water and wet down the tube after removing the cover.
Don't be a tube boob
I can tap the star and pad back down the tube, but I don't think it will stay.
S&W ejector
If the input voltage doesn't stay within its specified range, the tube may not light up due to a too low input voltage insufficient to start up the tube successfully or may flicker on and off due to a too high input voltage setting off the inbuilt Over Temperature Protection (OTP) to shut down the tube at a relatively high temperature as well as starting up the tube at a relatively low temperature automatically.
GlacialLight Launches Low-Power, Eco-Friendly T8 LED Tubes
When the dryer is turned on, the fan forces warmed air down the tube and out of the air jets.
Body dryer
According to her, the stand makes it easy to tap down the tube to keep air bubbles out.
True colors shine for Montana retailer's paint department