went downhill

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   Became worse in quality, condition, or health.

   Grammar: Past tense of 'go downhill'. No object: 'The business went downhill.'

   Patterns

   • something went downhill
   • someone went downhill
   • go downhill after something

   After the manager left, the restaurant went downhill.

   His health went downhill rapidly last winter.

   The team's performance went downhill after the star player was injured.

2. 2phraseidiom

   Moved or traveled down a slope or hill.

   Grammar: Literal use: physically going down a hill. No object.

   Patterns

   • went downhill on a bike
   • went downhill skiing

   The children went downhill on their sleds.

   We went downhill on our bikes and then had to push them back up.

Word forms

Common combinations

go downhill fast

After the scandal, the company went downhill fast.

go downhill from there

The meeting started badly and went downhill from there.

things go downhill

When they stopped communicating, things went downhill.

Synonyms and how they differ

deteriorate

More formal and often used for health or conditions; 'go downhill' is more conversational.

decline

Can be more gradual and neutral; 'go downhill' often suggests a clear worsening.

worsen

Directly means 'become worse', while 'go downhill' is an idiom with a vivid image.

Opposites

Word family

downhill adverb

In a downward direction; also used figuratively for decline.

Commonly confused: went downhill or downhill?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “went downhill”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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