take under
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To bring to insolvency; to drive (a business) into financial distress.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I knew she didn’t have to be here, out in the sun with me trying to do whatever I could to keep this fire from taking the business under, but she was
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “take under” mean?
To bring to insolvency; to drive (a business) into financial distress.
Is “take under” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.