British, informal. : to go wrong She was in debt, and when she lost her job it all went pear-shaped.

What does pear-shaped mean slang?

To go pear-shaped means to go wrong, to fail miserably, to go awry in a terrible fashion. The origin of the expression to go pear-shaped is in dispute. Some believe that the idiomatic phrase came into use in the 1980s, but others trace the phrase to the 1940s.

What does pear-shaped mean in British slang?

UK informal. If a plan goes pear-shaped, it fails: We’d planned to go away for the weekend, but it all went pear-shaped. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Failing and doing badly.

Where does the phrase going pear-shaped come from?

Apparently, it was derived from potters when they were trying to make items like vases, urns, etc. If the clay object started to lose its form it went ‘pear shaped’ and had to be scrapped.

Is pear-shaped bad?

Oxford University scientists — who have looked at all the evidence on the health effects of storing more fat on the hips, thighs and bum, rather than around the waist — show that having a ‘pear shape’ is not just less bad for you than an ‘apple shape’, but actively protects against diabetes and heart disease.

What does pear-shaped mean in Australia?

If something ‘goes pear-shaped’, this means that it goes horribly wrong, it goes awry. So, for things to go bad, for things to go wrong.

What is the meaning of tight spot?

If you are in a tight spot, you are in a difficult situation. [informal]

What is a wet squib?

Noun. damp squib (plural damp squibs) (literally) A firework that has been wet and therefore fails to go off correctly. (idiomatic, by extension) Anything that doesn’t work properly, or fails to come up to expectations; a dud.

What does the term putting on the dog mean?

US, informal + old-fashioned.: to pretend that one is very stylish or rich They really put on the dog for their daughter’s wedding.

What is a smart cookie?

: a person who is smart You’re one smart cookie.

What causes a pear-shaped body?

Generally, most body fat exists in the stomach and thigh areas, thus both can determine the shape of one’s body. Fat accumulated around the chest and belly makes our body shaped like an apple, while fat accumulated around the belly and below, such as on the thighs and buttocks, will cause our body to have a pear shape.

Where do pear shapes lose weight first?

Individuals with a pear shape tend to lose weight first in the face and upper body. As you continue to lose weight, however, the weight change will show up in other places, too.

Is being pear-shaped a good thing?

Being pear-shaped (which means carrying fat round your bum, thighs and hips) can lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, as long as you are otherwise a healthy weight.