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/Sounds like "EER" (as in "eagle") + "seh" (as in "set") + "AHL" (as in "art") + "gah" (as in "garden") + "REH" (as in "red") + "teh" (as in "ten")/

Meaning

To fall completely apart, go under, or go off the rails with no way to recover. Borrowed from nautical language, where "garete" means a ship drifting with no control. In Spain it describes any project, plan, night, or relationship that collapses beyond saving.

Examples

El proyecto se fue al garete en el último momento por falta de fondos.

The project fell apart at the last minute because there was no money.

La noche se fue al garete cuando empezó a llover a cántaros.

The whole night went sideways when it started pouring rain.

Regional synonyms

To illegally access computer systems to steal data or cause damage. Also used casually to mean finding a clever shortcut or creative solution to an everyday problem.