go under

verb

went under; gone under; going under; goes under
Synonyms of go undernext

intransitive verb

1
: sink entry 1 sense 1a
The ship went under in the storm.
2
: to be overwhelmed, destroyed, or defeated : fail
The company went under during the recession.

Examples of go under in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After helping the boy reach another family member, the woman went under. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The show follows a father who has to move in with his estranged daughter after his business goes under. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 The group will be responsible for offering more care — and more kinds of it — as hospitals go under, Judge said. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 Pick up a strand going under and lift over the strand next to it. — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for go under

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of go under was in 1820

Rhymes for go under

See All Rhymes for go under

Browse Nearby Words

gound
go under
go underground
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Go under.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20under. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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