in the tank

phrase

variants or into the tank
: in or into a decline or slump
the sullen student's grades went into the tank

Examples of in the tank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One is that with the noise in the tank, the crew will have to use the sort of personal helmet microphones as used by helicopter pilots. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026 There is nothing left in the tank, and there are no regrets in my heart. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Regardless of what the Giants decide, Doval was worth a two-game flier to see what’s in the tank. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2026 In fact, even though there wasn't a lot of carbon dioxide in the tank, the microbes persisted, adapting to the conditions relatively quickly. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in the tank

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in the tank was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the tank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20tank. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!