Everyone gets nervous when the balloon goes up.
balloon goes up
idiomSomething exciting, risky, or troublesome begins.
Origin
disputed originProbably from the releasing of a balloon as a signal for an event to begin, possibly popularized by the use of balloons by the British Army during World War I (1914–1918) as a signal for artillery fire to commence.
We have finished the preparations, so we must be ready for when the balloon goes up tomorrow morning.
The tension in the room was palpable as the team waited for the balloon to go up and the consequences of their risky plan to unfold.
- 01
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
- 02
anything goes
There are no rules or restrictions.
- 03
balloon knot
The anus.
- 04
here goes nothing
Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty about the activity about to be tried.
- 05
how goes it
An informal greeting roughly equivalent to how are you.
- 06
make it up as one goes along
To improvise continuously.
- 07
trial balloon
An idea, suggestion, or prospective action, product, etc., offered to an audience or group in order to test whether it generates acceptance or interest.