balloon goes up

Etymology


Probably from the releasing of a balloon as a signal for an event to begin, possibly popularized by the use of balloons by the during  (1914–1918) as a signal for artillery fire to commence.

Phrase

 * 1)  Chiefly preceded by the: something exciting, risky, or troublesome begins.

Usage notes

 * The term is also used with other forms of the word, such as and.

Translations

 * Finnish: h-hetki on
 * Macedonian: