be thrown off course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be thrown off course" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe an event or situation in which something has disrupted a plan, route, or process. For example, "The business had to pivot quickly when the pandemic threw their plans off course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

As a result, investigators can be thrown off course during the computation of their qPCR results.

Biological Procedures Online

Migratory birds can be thrown off course.

The New York Times

The entire region's economic boom could be thrown off course.

The Economist

But the recovery in the global economy is already fragile and could be thrown off course by dearer borrowing.

The Guardian - Business

Later, in a particularly pointed statement, the White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said Mr. Obama would not let the bill be thrown off course.

The New York Times

But he has shown a tendency to be thrown off course at the Open when confronted by less-than-perfect conditions, like wind or humidity or noise.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Expectations a decade ago that energy giants would turn to low-carbon power sources – from new nuclear plants to alternative energies such as solar and wind – were thrown off course by the financial crisis and successive governments switching policies and targets.

Independent

As the ships were traveling to the beach, the heavy seas, combined with the chaos of the fighting caused most of the landing force to be thrown off-course and most of the 116th Infantry missed its landing spots.

Wikipedia

Throughout the trial, the defendants were thrown off-course as the crown, struggling to keep up, served new evidence that should have been presented before the trial started.

The Guardian

The entire history of the current cinema has been thrown off-course both by the lack of recognition of these films and their directors, actors, and technicians in their own time, and by the absence of the films — both by these artists and by those whom they would have inspired — that should have followed.

The New Yorker

Down here, internal compasses are thrown off-course.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be thrown off course" to describe situations where an unexpected event or influence has disrupted a plan or process. Ensure the subject is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be thrown off course" for minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the disruption has a significant impact on the overall plan or goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be thrown off course" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has been diverted or disrupted from its intended path or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be thrown off course" is a passive verb phrase used to describe a disruption or deviation from an intended path or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, it also appears in scientific and general writing. Alternatives like "be diverted" or "get off track" offer similar meanings, but with subtle differences in emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure that the subject and the cause of disruption are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Avoid using it for trivial matters, reserving it for more significant deviations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get off track

A more informal way of saying 'be thrown off course', indicating a slight deviation from the intended path.

be diverted

Implies a change in direction or focus, often due to an external force or influence.

veer off course

Implies a gradual departure from the intended direction, often due to subtle influences.

get sidetracked

Indicates a temporary distraction that leads away from the main goal.

be derailed

Suggests a more significant disruption, where progress is halted or severely hindered.

be disrupted

A general term for any kind of interference that interrupts the normal course of events.

lose one's way

Focuses on the loss of direction or purpose, implying a sense of confusion or uncertainty.

be interrupted

Similar to 'be disrupted', but emphasizes a temporary halt in progress.

go astray

Similar to 'lose one's way', but can also imply moral or ethical deviation.

be led astray

Suggests being misled or influenced negatively by someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "be thrown off course" in a sentence?

You can use "be thrown off course" to describe a situation where something unexpected disrupts your plans. For example, "Our project "was thrown off course" by the sudden budget cuts."

What does it mean to "be thrown off course"?

To "be thrown off course" means that something has happened to disrupt your plans or progress, causing you to deviate from your intended path.

What are some alternatives to "be thrown off course"?

Alternatives include "be diverted", "be derailed", or "get off track". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be thrown off course" or "be thrown off track"?

Both "be thrown off course" and "be thrown off track" are similar in meaning. "Be thrown off course" is often used in situations where there is a literal or metaphorical journey, while "be thrown off track" can be used more broadly. Choose the one that best fits the context.