Skip to main content
to tank

to tank

42 5.8
To fall quickly in value or quality
  • verb
  • /tæŋk/
  • Informal
translation icon : desplomarse
  • You must've really tanked on that college essay.
  • the economy tanked
  • markets tanked
  • stocks tanked

We might actually have a year of no growth, which tanks the four year average.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • You know, three years ago, when the market tanked, they said we were finished.

  • The problem is that when the market tanks, stocks tank with it.

  • When other things tank, like everything is doing right now, art does not.

  • However, if your folks tank the business, you are left with nothing.

    Blog text (11)
  • It's like the economy was waiting for me to start my own business and then tank.

  • We might actually have a year of no growth, which tanks the four year average.

  • Your relationships will tank, your outlook will tank.

  • You need someone that is going to be able to come in and just make sure you don't tank for those couple of weeks.

  • Your last book tanked, critically and commercially, putting into doubt whether or not you can even provide for Katie.

  • Many businesses tanked during the recession, leading to widespread unemployment.

Synonyms

to sink faster than the Titanic
vsto tank
  • Informal
9.2

To fail very quickly and completely with no chance to get better

falls badly but not necessarily as sudden or utterly catastrophic

Antonyms

904 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

846 2.0

To reach a goal after trying hard

Idioms

in the tank
  • Informal
5 9.6

In a very weak or failing state, often financially

Phrasal Verbs

to buay tank
  • Slang
9.9

To do very badly at something, often said jokingly

Remove all fuel or other liquid from a tank until it is empty

5.1

Use all your energy in a final effort until you have none left

Compounds

76 4.1

A group of experts who study public problems and give advice to governments and others

35 1.8

A container on a car or bike that holds fuel for the engine

28 1.3

A tight shirt without sleeves that has wide shoulder straps

18 1.5

A glass box that holds water for keeping live fish

11 4.3

An underground tank where bacteria break down sewage and solids before they drain away

9 1.9

A container that holds water for flushing a toilet

8 3.1

A large container that holds liquids like water in factories or farms

2 4.8

A large American battle vehicle used by the army with thick armor and a powerful gun

army tank
  • Specialized
2 3.5

A heavy armored vehicle with a large gun that moves on tracks and fights in war

tank shell
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A metal explosive shot from a tank's main gun

1 4.2

A soldier who controls a military tank

1 2.7

Water kept in an aquarium or tank for fish and plants

1 2.4

A container that heats and holds hot water for a building

tank farm
  • Specialized
1 5.1

An area of land where large metal containers store oil or other liquids

tank car
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A train car that carries large amounts of liquids or gases

tank engine
  • Archaic
1 5.0

A steam train that carries its own fuel and water without another car behind it

tank truck
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A large vehicle with a tank that carries liquids or gases on roads

1 2.5

A part of a vehicle that holds gasoline for the engine

tank destroyer
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A light military vehicle with a strong anti-tank gun that stops enemy tanks

1 3.2

A one-piece bathing suit for women with shoulder straps and no skirt

2.7

A container in a vehicle that holds petrol or gasoline for the engine

tank farming
  • Specialized
5.2

A way of growing plants in water with plant food

tank furnace
  • Specialized
7.5

A large oven that melts raw materials so liquid glass comes out the other end

tank iron
  • Specialized
9.9

A strong metal plate used to make tanks and other containers

tank locomotive
  • Archaic
8.0

A steam engine that carries its own fuel and water so it needs no separate car

tank circuit
  • Specialized
7.2

An electric circuit with a coil and a capacitor that makes or picks an electrical signal at a specific frequency

tank ship
  • Specialized
4.7

A large ship that carries liquids like oil in large amounts

An old military tank that collectors like

A big vehicle with a tank that carries and sprays water

How Bad

to collapse
579 3.9
to crash
  • Informal
87 4.8
to tank
  • Informal
42 5.8
to slump
16 4.1
fall
106 2.5
drop
230 2.5
to dip
47 2.5

Surface Forms

tank infinitive
tanked past
tanked past participle
tanking present participle
tanks third person singular

Etymology

Tank The verb tank meaning to fail badly probably comes from the idea of something heavy dropping or sinking like a metal tank, so when sales, grades, or prices 'tank' they fall down quickly.