Waterloo

meet (one's) Waterloo

To experience a final and resounding defeat. (Napoleon Bonaparte suffered his crushing final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.) The underdog team met their Waterloo in the championship game and lost to the best team in the league 17-1.
See also: meet, Waterloo
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

meet one's Waterloo

Fig. to meet one's final and insurmountable challenge. (Alludes to the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.) The boss is being very hard on Bill. It seems that Bill has finally met his Waterloo. John was more than Sally could handle. She has finally met her Waterloo.
See also: meet, Waterloo
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

meet one's Waterloo

Suffer a major defeat, as in Our team's done well this season but is about to meet its Waterloo. This term alludes to Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Belgium, in 1815, marking the end of his military domination of Europe. It was being transferred to other kinds of defeat by the mid-1800s.
See also: meet, Waterloo
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

meet your Waterloo

If someone meets their Waterloo, they suffer a very severe defeat or failure, especially one which causes them to finally stop doing what they are trying to do. It was in attempting to climb the summit of this mountain that I realized I had met my Waterloo. Note: In 1815, the French leader Napoleon suffered his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium.
See also: meet, Waterloo
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

meet your Waterloo

experience a final and decisive defeat.
The battle of Waterloo in 1815 marked the final defeat of Napoleon's army by the British and the Prussians.
See also: meet, Waterloo
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌmeet your Waterˈloo

be finally defeated: She can usually beat anyone at chess, but I think with Kathy she’s met her Waterloo.This idiom refers to the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, in which Napoleon was finally defeated and taken prisoner.
See also: meet, Waterloo
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

meet one's Waterloo, to

To experience a major defeat. Alluding to the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815, Wendell Phillips used the term in1859 to describe the defeat of abolitionist John Brown in organizing a slave uprising at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (“Every man meets his Waterloo at last”).
See also: meet
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • meet (one's) Waterloo
  • meet one's Waterloo
  • meet Waterloo
  • meet your Waterloo
  • take the game to
  • the first string
  • fair-weather fan
  • done like (a) dinner
  • done like a dinner
  • done like dinner
References in periodicals archive
Waterloo Brewing is Ontario's largest Canadian-owned brewery.
Waterloo Brewing celebrates the Oktoberfest spirit and extends contract with Bingeman's through 2022
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IN FOCUS LINDA KAREN AGE: [...]
Park battled well against the elements and Waterloo did not make as much use of the wind as they might have done.
Sharples makes points safe for Park in derby
And they enlisted the help of dancers in Waterloo, Wishaw, and Waterloo, Merseyside, to make the performance go viral across the UK.
Abba routine breaks record
Waterloo also has a host of bars and restaurants, with a number of branches of popular city centre restaurants popping up in and around the coastal suburb.
Is Waterloo Merseyside's up-and-coming property postcode? House-hunters are increasingly turning to the coastal area, packed with bars and restaurants, as an alternative; House-hunters are increasingly turning to the coastal area, packed with bars and restaurants, as an alternative
The new machine was designated the Waterloo Boy Model R and rated at 12 drawbar and 24 belt hp.
Waterloo Boy tractor MADE ITS MARK IN THE UK: --under an alias
Waterloo Hire's aim is to provide a reliable, personal and professional service as well as adhering to the highest health and safety standards.
Waterloo Hire celebrates anniversary; THE PORTABLE TOILET COMPANY MOVED TO ITS NEW PREMISES LAST MARCH...
Adam responded to a follower who asked if it was a coincidence that Adam has bought a jacket with the word 'Waterloo' on it three years to the day since the show finished.
Actor's jokey tweet sparks talk of Waterloo Road return; THE DIARY dianne bourne & katie fitzpatrick with all the inside stories
TOO many mistakes and an inability to hold onto possession cost Waterloo dear as they went down 32-19 away to West Hartlepool.
Pool sink Waterloo
She married Gene Kelley of Marrietta, Ohio, and later moved to Waterloo, Iowa, to be with her sister, Pamela (Russell) Bolick.
Deborah Kelley
Basic Foot Care for RNs and ENs--2 Days Target group: RNs and ENs * Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 May 2011, Wagga Wagga * Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 June 2011 NSWNA, Waterloo * Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 August 2011, Newcastle * Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October 2011, Armidale Members $203 Non Members $350
2011 NSWNA education calendar
BROADSTREET 26 WATERLOO 28 VISITING Waterloo came away from this clash of the strugglers with only their second win of the season.
Missed kicks cost Street
With a team that showed seven changes from their loss against rivals Broadstreet, Lions always looked to be in control of this battle against a spirited Waterloo side.
Lions too strong for Waterloo
The imposing Waterloo Hotel at Shireland Road, Cape Hill, is noted as a striking example of Smethwick's many magnificent Victorian and Edwardian buildings, a number of which are still standing.
Taps turned on for 100 years! HERITAGE: Cheers to imposing pub's landmark anniversary