fall like ninepins
To succumb to a particular problem. This phrase is typically only used when more than one person has been adversely affected. Ninepins is a game similar to bowling. Primarily heard in UK. Now that the flu is going through our school, people are falling like ninepins.
fall like ninepins
or go down like ninepins
or drop like ninepins
BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf people or things fall like ninepins, go down like ninepins or drop like ninepins, a lot of them are very quickly injured, killed or destroyed. Sgt Russell Smith, 35, told of his terror at seeing officers `falling like ninepins'. There was a time when Liverpool players never seemed to get injured, but now they're going down like ninepins. Note: Ninepins are skittles.