Kerflooey

Part of speech: adjective, adverb

Definitions

1. Describing something that suddenly breaks down, fails or collapses in a chaotic way ; an exclamation imitating a sudden loud blast or burst
2. A sudden breakdown or going wrong of a plan or machine ; a sound word used to express a sudden explosion or crash
3. Something that abruptly fails or falls apart completely ; a cry that mimics the noise of a sudden blast or bang

Etymology: "Go kerflooey" means to collapse, fall apart, or go badly wrong. It is American slang of uncertain origin, and its shape is typical of expressive words that imitate a noisy event. The opening "ker-" suggests a heavy impact, as in "kerplunk," while "-flooey" suggests something giving way or bursting apart. The word's exact ancestry is not firmly established, and related forms such as "flooey" on their own have been proposed as sources. The pattern is clear enough, though: the meaning comes from the sound and the impression of a crash rather than from an older root.

Synonyms: kaput, awry, haywire, broken

Antonyms: functioning, working