Belly Up

Filed Under » ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Belly Up'

A slang term used to describe the complete and abject failure of an individual, corporation, bank, development project, etc. The term belly up is often used to describe a financial institution that has failed and been closed by regulators.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Belly Up'

The Oxford English Dictionary records the earliest usage of the term in 1920 in the work of novelist John Dos Passos. During New York City's financial crisis in 1975, a columnist for the Washington Post declared "If New York can go belly-up, why not any city in the nation."

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    From Booms To Bailouts: The Banking Crisis Of The 1980s

    The economic environment of the late 1970s and early 1980s created the perfect storm for a banking crisis.

  2. An Overview Of Corporate Bankruptcy

    If a company files for bankruptcy, stockholders have the most to lose. Find out why.

  3. Case Study: The Collapse of Lehman Brothers

    This company survived many financial crises in its long history. Find out what finally drove it to bankruptcy.

  4. Bankruptcy Protection For Your Accounts

    Will the plan assets you've worked hard for be safe if you experience a personal financial crisis?

  5. Bankruptcy

    Learn what happens when an individual or an organization files for bankruptcy.

  6. 5 Reasons Not To File For Bankruptcy In Your 20s

    Filing for bankruptcy in your 20s is a bad idea. You could miss out on job opportunities and even lose your home.

  7. 6 Decisions That Cost Companies Millions

    Here are some of the worst business decisions of all time, made across a broad range of sectors and industries.

  8. 5 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt

    These celebs all went bankrupt and one time in their lives.

  9. A Lifeline For Those Drowning In Debt

    Don't wait to be saved, find out where the lifesaving devices are and hang on tight!

  10. A New Plan To Prevent Future Bailouts

    This new and innovative plan by the FDIC could help the government avoid the next bailout.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Yield Elbow

    The point on the yield curve indicating the year in which the economy's highest interest rates occur. The yield elbow is the peak of the yield curve, signifying where the highest interest rates occurred.

  2. Xenocurrency

    A currency that trades in markets outside of its domestic borders.

  3. Wanton Disregard

    A standard of severe negligence. Wanton disregard is a very serious accusation that indicates that a person behaved extremely recklessly.

  4. Ultra ETF

    A class of exchange-traded funds (ETF) that employs leverage in an effort to achieve double the return of a set benchmark.

  5. Toehold Purchase

    A purchase of less than 5% of a target company's outstanding stockmade by an acquiring company. A toehold purchase of just under 5%, while not a significant stake in a firm, allows the shareholders a "toe-holds" grip on the company and its decision making.

  6. Samurai Bond

    A yen-denominated bond issued in Tokyo by a non-Japanese company and subject to Japanese regulations.
Trading Center
http://sp.fastclick.net/ad/tr/10858-64082-15546-0?mpt=68245b3e3102a2afbe9e1d0ca39d294d