hit the buffers

hit the buffers

To stop; to cease all progress. Primarily heard in UK. My plan to cook dinner hit the buffers when I realized we had no food in the cupboard.
See also: hit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hit the buffers

BRITISH, JOURNALISM
If something such as an idea, plan, or project hits the buffers, it experiences difficulties which cause it to fail. Their plans may not get very far before they hit the buffers. With a little luck Sebastien could also have achieved sporting fame, but sadly his promising soccer career hit the buffers early on. Note: Buffers are barriers at the end of a railway track.
See also: hit
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

hit the ˈbuffers

(informal) if a plan, somebody’s career, etc. hits the buffers, it suddenly stops being successful: His big ideas for expanding the business hit the buffers yesterday when the board of directors rejected his proposals.
Buffers are two round metal devices on the front or end of a train, or at the end of a railway/railroad track, that reduce the shock if the train hits something.
See also: hit
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a skeleton in the cupboard
  • skeleton in the/(one's) cupboard
  • come to a stop
  • cease fire
  • get/pull your finger out
  • cancel out of (something)
  • cease
  • cease and desist
  • desist
  • and be done with it
References in periodicals archive
He's a morally incontinent buffoon due, if there's any justice, to hit the buffers sometime soon.
IT'S A CARRIE ON
The business has hit the buffers in recent years, with heavy promotions hitting profits and problems with suppliers.
Hornby gathering pace
Caledonia kept up the fight with a 6-2 scoreline against Anchor, while Ralston's charge hit the buffers following a 4-4 draw away at Blacklandmill.
Two tied at the summit; VETERANS BOWLS
A group of nine MPs from this region - both Labour and Conservative - have joined forces to urge that the Government commit to spending PS100bn on transport in the North by 2050 to deliver a wide range of strategic transport projects and ensure its own Northern Powerhouse initiative does not hit the buffers.
Time to listen
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK will not allow his career to hit the buffers by being sidelined at Chelsea.
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK will not allow his career to []
c The former Southampton man will have plenty of takers at the end of the season as his career in north London has hit the buffers.
its tah for the good times toby; THE ORIGINAL GOSSIP COLUMN
1 CLYDE slumped to defeat at the hands of basement boys East Stirling as their winning streak hit the buffers.
SHIRE SHOCK HIGH-FLYING CLYDE; LEAGUE 2
THE new boss of B&Q owner Kingfisher will present her strategy for the business at its full-year results presentation tomorrow, just days after fears emerged that its [euro]275m (PS202m) acquisition of France's Mr Bricolage has hit the buffers.
Mr Bricolage doesn't want to B&Q it
In years of austerity we cannot afford to hit the buffers yet again.
Fast line; COMMENT The policy of honesty. The might of right. The expediency of principle
We are urgently in need of common sense or even a government of national salvation before we finally hit the buffers.
Call for common sense; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk
Well have hit the buffers with three straight defeats and dropped from top to sixth.
MOTHERWELL v HIBERNIAN
In the last council year here in Middlesbrough, over pounds 170,000 was claimed in extra allowances and expenses by only 28 Labour councillors so, in effect, despite Phil stating that the "gravy train has hit the buffers" sadly it has not because, mark my words, these amounts will continue to be claimed.
'Hard work' meetings; Your say
Capaldi's career hit the buffers after he criticised his club Morecambe on Twitter and he didn't play for 14 months.
Capaldi out for boost; SOCCER SHORTS
The Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Company service to London Marylebone, which called at Wolverhampton and Tame Bridge in Walsall, hit the buffers in February because of financial pressures.
No plans to restore axed rail route
RICOH RAIL STATION SETBACK A CAMPAIGN to get a much-delayed rail station at the Ricoh Stadium in time for 2012 Olympic football appears to have hit the buffers.
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