Be/go up the spout Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage Used in casual conversation, not in formal or written English. I'm afraid our little plan has gone up the spout, hasn't it? Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome Implies a disappointment or an unexpected negative turn of events. The whole project went up the spout when the funding was cut. Pro Tip 3/3Sudden Failure Often used when something fails suddenly or unexpectedly. The deal went up the spout after the CEO quit.