run into a streak of bad luck, go belly-up

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Could you witness my interpretation of the words in bold in the following excerpt of an article:

However the Risk and Reward exercise for you to practice your business English is designed to give the riskier more profit. If you want to have the highest rate of return, you need to take same risk. But if the risk is not well managed and you run into a streak of bad luck, you could go belly-up!

streak of bad luck = run of bad luck = a continued spell of bad fortune

go belly up = fail, bankrupt

Could you tell me whether this expressions are widespread in the spoken English language?

Regards.

V.

[Anglika]

They are quite often found - belly-up very much so in articles on failing companies. You will also hear them in spoken English, and not necessarily restricted to business. Anyone can have a run of bad luck in their life or career, and any organization can go belly-up if things go wrong.

[vil]

Hi Anglika,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Thank you also for your encouraging words of advice.

Regards.

V.