Go from bad to worse

phrase

To progressively get worse or deteriorate.

The weather started off bad, but it went from bad to worse.
Visual representation of "go from bad to worse" - to progressively get worse or deteriorate

Often appears as...

  • situation goes from bad to worse
  • things are going from bad to worse

Usage tips

Idiomatic

phrase

To progressively get worse or deteriorate.

The weather started off bad, but it went from bad to worse.
Visual representation of "go from bad to worse" - to progressively get worse or deteriorate

Often appears as...

  • situation goes from bad to worse
  • things are going from bad to worse

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "go from bad to worse"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Progression

Used to describe a situation that is getting progressively worse, not just a one-time event.

Illustration for Negative Progression
His grades went from bad to worse last semester.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

Sometimes used figuratively to emphasize a decline in quality, not necessarily from bad to the worst possible.

Illustration for Not Literal
After the lead actor left, the show went from bad to worse.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emphasizing Trouble

Can be used to stress how troubling or difficult a situation is becoming.

Illustration for Emphasizing Trouble
When they lost their map, their trip went from bad to worse.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Progression

Used to describe a situation that is getting progressively worse, not just a one-time event.

Illustration for Negative Progression
His grades went from bad to worse last semester.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

Sometimes used figuratively to emphasize a decline in quality, not necessarily from bad to the worst possible.

Illustration for Not Literal
After the lead actor left, the show went from bad to worse.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emphasizing Trouble

Can be used to stress how troubling or difficult a situation is becoming.

Illustration for Emphasizing Trouble
When they lost their map, their trip went from bad to worse.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Progression

Used to describe a situation that is getting progressively worse, not just a one-time event.

Illustration for Negative Progression
His grades went from bad to worse last semester.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

Sometimes used figuratively to emphasize a decline in quality, not necessarily from bad to the worst possible.

Illustration for Not Literal
After the lead actor left, the show went from bad to worse.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emphasizing Trouble

Can be used to stress how troubling or difficult a situation is becoming.

Illustration for Emphasizing Trouble
When they lost their map, their trip went from bad to worse.
Visual representation of the word "Go from bad to worse"

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