go pear-shaped

go pear-shaped

To fail or fall apart. What are we going to do this weekend if our plans go pear-shaped? Well, Molly's surprise party went pear-shaped once she accidentally found out about it.
See also: go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go pear-shaped

BRITISH, INFORMAL
COMMON If a situation or activity goes pear-shaped, it starts to fail or have problems. We started well, but it all went pear-shaped and we lost five matches in a row. He is always asked to comment whenever the global economy goes pear-shaped.
See also: go
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

go pear-shaped

go wrong. informal
This phrase originated as RAF slang, as a humorously exaggerated allusion to the shape of an aircraft that has crashed nose first. Today, however, people probably assume it derives from the idea of a woman gaining weight on her hips.
1998 Spectator Unfortunately it all went pear-shaped because the programme to which I was going to peg my babblings…just wasn't interesting enough to sustain a whole review.
See also: go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go ˈpear-shaped

(British English, informal) if things go pear-shaped, they go wrong: Everything was going really well for Dave until the last week of the course, when it all went a bit pear-shaped and he failed an assignment. OPPOSITE: work/go like a dream
See also: go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be put out to grass
  • plant pears for your heirs
  • bootylicious
  • fly high
  • flying high
  • fit together
  • cube
  • cube out
  • born and bred
  • bred
References in periodicals archive
It's not long before things go pear-shaped when Ruby steals a bottle of vodka in an attempt to impress Barry.
Caitlin'S GRAND OPENING IS SUNK; River City BBC1
Things looked set to go pear-shaped when Jordan Henderson's penalty was saved, only for Mateus Uribe's spot-kick to rattle the bar and goalkeeper Pickford to deny Carlos Bacca with a great save.
England hit the right spot; Pickford & Dier send Three Lions into last eight
"If it does go pear-shaped, I'll go to far-flung places where no one will know me."
This is a huge risk for me, admits Three Girls cop Maggie
Things go pear-shaped when Vincent's son is kidnapped by the mob.
Films
Alas, when a drunken Phil later turns up at Ben's birthday party, things go pear-shaped so he goes looking for some moral support.
EASTENDERS - BBC1; TV SOAPS
It takes the responsibility away from George Osborne, and the new big bad wolf may be the elected mayor if things go pear-shaped. If it works, it's all down to the foresight of Osborne.
Time will tell on Power House plan
But things go pear-shaped, especially between Jay and Abi when she realises she might be pregnant and he only goes and snogs a barmaid that Dexter was giving the glad eye to.
soap notes
Kean, though, faces more battles ahead - and could fight to keep his own job if things go pear-shaped again.
ARSENAL ClubWatch
Things, of course, do not go to plan and we flash back to one week before the big day to discover how it all started to go pear-shaped.
Hungover stars raise the bar; THE HANGOVER 2 15
Luckily, Donna and Zeke are on hand to calm her nerves, but when Declan sticks his oar in, things start to go pear-shaped. He tells Kate that Brennan's been warning him off her, and despite initially not believing him, she begins to question her new flame.
NEIGHBOURS
It would provide much better redundancy when things go pear-shaped, as happened before Christmas in 2008 (partially closed due to lorry fire) and a year later in 2009 (closed when trains became snow-stricken).
Dig to Belgium next time
WHY does everything the Fat Controller touches go pear-shaped? Trying to justify the Afghanistan war.
I'm in need of sheltered accommodation
"Fighting Barrett - the gatekeeper to the heavyweight division - is a massive gamble which could go pear-shaped in 20 seconds," he said.
Boxing: IN BRIEF - Haye ready to test his mettle
Things did go pear-shaped, the price was bigger (8-11) than I anticipated at the off and this was one of those cases when I was left kicking myself for not putting up a 'lay' guide price.
TRADING REPORT; TRADING POST
If that's going pear-shaped, I hope we go pear-shaped next season."
Football: Struggling Cherries too hot for Saddlers; COCA-COLA LEAGUE ONE Walsall 1 Bournemouth