down the tubes

Popular UK expression, especially 20 or thirty years ago = when your life or a situation is fast deteriorating or going rapidly downhill

Tubes = probably has its origins in toilet tubes or pipes

We were good at first but our relationship is going down the tubes

Our season has gone totally down the tubes and looks like we'll be relegated

by notquitepatrick February 21, 2020

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Get the down the tubesmug.

Piss Tube

In Vietnam, there were two separate places to do bathroom chores. For a dump, there were shitters, most with multiple holes with 50 gallon drums underneath. The designated "shit-burner" would pull the drums out, add diesel oil and set on fire. If you just needed to pee, there were piss tubes around the area. Many were made by pounding old rocket tubes into the ground at an angle, and adding a piece of screen on the top end. In some of the more refined camps, a semicircle of tin would provide a bit of privacy. In my unit, the largest shitter (a 6-holer) was generally overfilled after dark for troops having extended "smoke breaks"

Hey new-boot, if you need to crap, the shitter is over there, if you just have to pee, you'll find several piss tubes throughout the area.

by ThorMonster September 2, 2018

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