# the wheels fell off

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/the-wheels-fell-off
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something failed, often after or amidst a laborious, tiring process.

## Examples

- The project was going well until the wheels fell off.
- We were ahead by ten points, but then the wheels fell off and we lost the game.
- After months of careful planning, the wheels fell off the entire operation when the primary investor suddenly withdrew their support.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.