the rot sets in

the rot sets in

The situation deteriorates. When you start charging everything to credit cards, that's when the rot sets in, and you've dug a hole too big to get out of. It's clear that the management isn't trying to retain this as a viable business. The rot has set in for sure.
See also: rot, set
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the rot sets in

a rapid succession of (usually unaccountable) failures begins.
See also: rot, set
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the rot sets ˈin

a situation starts to get worse: The rot really set in when the team’s best player left the club last year.
See also: rot, set
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • if push comes to shove
  • if/when push comes to shove
  • push comes to shove, if
  • push comes to shove, if/when
  • when
  • when push comes to shove
  • a handle to (one's) name
  • handle to one's name
  • enter the lists
  • enter the lists, to