Bailout

Generically, a bailout is a donation, giving financial assistance to a failing business, industry, or economy in order to save it from collapse.

A bailout most often relies on the love and kindness of a strange government's assistance (taxpayers footing the bill). The bailout of Chrysler in the 70s, and then GM in 2008, are well-known examples of taxpayers enabling a failing business time to turn around their situation. How would you guess Ford feels about that bailout, by the way?

Pundits suggested during the Great Recession that the capitalist system is based on the survival of the fittest. In that sense, strong companies succeed while weak companies fail.

Bailout is a dirty word to many (especially those who work hard to build a better life and pay taxes). Those of that opinion are prone to exclaim "Let ‘em fail if they can't make money!"