Meltdown
Meaning
A complete and sudden emotional or physical collapse, or a catastrophic failure of a system.
Origin
The term "meltdown" burst into the popular lexicon from the terrifying world of nuclear physics in the mid-20th century. It vividly described the catastrophic event where a nuclear reactor's core overheats, melting its fuel and containment structures, leading to an uncontrolled release of radiation. This highly technical and chilling concept, representing the ultimate systemic failure, soon migrated beyond the scientific community. It became a powerful, visceral metaphor for any complete and sudden collapse—whether an economy, a relationship, or an individual's emotional state—carrying the inherent dread of an irreversible and destructive unraveling.
Examples
- After weeks of intense pressure, the CEO finally had a public meltdown during the press conference.
- The stock market experienced a full-blown meltdown after the unexpected economic news was released.