belly-up
1 of 2adjective
bel·ly-up ˈbe-lē-ˈəp 
: hopelessly ruined or defeated
especially : bankrupt
the business went belly-up
belly up
2 of 2verb
bellied up; bellying up; bellies up
intransitive verb
: to move close or next to
bellied up to the bar
Synonyms
Verb
- approach
- close
- close in
- come up
- draw on
- near
- nigh
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb belly up to the buffet table and help yourselves
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
from the floating position of a dead fish
First Known Use
Adjective
1918, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1880, in the meaning defined above