My computer went tits up right before the deadline.
tits up
idiomBroken; failed; inoperable.
Origin
disputed originPerhaps derives from an expired animal lying on its back, or the behaviour of aeroplanes' attitude indicators, which in some regional conventions turn upside down when faulty and display an inverted 'W' resembling a pair of breasts.
The entire project went tits up when the server crashed during the final presentation.
Despite our careful planning, the complex logistics system went tits up, forcing the entire team to abandon the operation.
- 01
arse over tit
Tumbling; falling; upside-down, unstable or unbalanced.
- 02
get one's tits in a wringer
To get into trouble.
- 03
hind tit
An inferior source of food or other resources.
- 04
keep one's tits on
Synonym of keep one's hair on.
- 05
off one's tits
Heavily intoxicated; under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- 06
suck hind tit
To feed from an inferior source of food.
- 07
suck tits
To be terrible, to be of extremely poor quality.
- 08
tit for tat
Equivalent retribution; an act of returning exactly what one gets; an eye for an eye.
Last updated April 17, 2026