Idiom
go pear-shaped
Meanings
To go wrong or fail, especially after starting well or seeming under control.
Definition
To go pear-shaped means to go wrong or fail in an unexpected way.
If something goes pear-shaped, it does not happen as planned and often becomes messy or out of control. People use it for projects, events, plans, or situations that suddenly start failing. It is common in informal British and Australian English.
Examples
- Our trip went pear-shaped when the flight was canceled.
- The presentation went pear-shaped after the projector stopped working.
- Everything was fine until the schedule went pear-shaped at the last minute.
- The negotiation went pear-shaped when both sides refused to compromise.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.