Irse al traste
Example: Si no estudias, todo se va al traste.
Definition
"Irse al traste" is a Spanish expression meaning that something goes completely wrong, fails, or is ruined. It is often used to describe situations where plans, efforts, or hopes collapse unexpectedly, as in the phrase "Si no estudias, todo se va al traste."
Etymology
The expression "irse al traste" literally means 'to go to the trough' or 'to go to the basket.' Historically, "traste" referred to the wooden frame of a lute or guitar, and figuratively, it came to mean something discarded or ruined. Over time, the phrase evolved to signify failure or total loss.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Irse al traste" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C1) - parte 1", containing 120 commonly used expressions.
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to fall apart