blow up

Definition

When everything goes catastrophically wrong during service—orders backing up, tickets everywhere, timing destroyed, and chefs screaming. The kitchen equivalent of a five-alarm fire.

Example Usage

We totally blew up during the 7 o'clock rush—it was absolute chaos.

Origin

Restaurant service failure terminology, implying explosive disaster

Fun Fact

Most restaurants 'blow up' at least once during their first month of operation; surviving it without walkouts is considered a rite of passage.

Source: Restaurant service crisis terminology

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