empezar a irse al garete

(v.) = hit + the skids, be on the skids

Ex. Economic data released Friday in Tokyo leaves no doubt that Japan's economy has hit the skids.

Ex. But will Barack Obama dare to touch this sacred cow that seems as American as apple pie -- especially now, when the housing market is on the skids?.

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(v.) = hit + the skids, be on the skids

Ex: Economic data released Friday in Tokyo leaves no doubt that Japan's economy has hit the skids.

Ex: But will Barack Obama dare to touch this sacred cow that seems as American as apple pie -- especially now, when the housing market is on the skids?.