1. a rapid downward spiral of an aircraft that is out of control
Usage: aviation
2. a situation that rapidly becomes much worse
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The pilot struggled to pull the plane out of its tailspin.
• The small aircraft went into a tailspin after losing engine power.
• The company went into a financial tailspin after the scandal broke.
• His career was in a tailspin following the controversy.
• The stock market entered a tailspin during the economic crisis.
• She felt her life was in a tailspin after losing her job.
• The team’s performance went into a tailspin in the second half of the season.