completely derailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely derailed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that has gone off course or failed to proceed as planned. Example: "The project was going well until the unexpected budget cuts completely derailed our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

If he had come as a refugee, it would have completely derailed his Special Immigrant Visa.

The New Yorker

Had that attack occurred in mid-2012, it would have completely derailed the presidential campaign.

The Economist

Green MP Caroline Lucas said the government's nuclear ambitions were now "completely derailed".

The Guardian

It means a morning commute completely derailed by an elevator outage.

The Washington Post

When our attention is completely derailed, research shows, it can take 29 minutes to refocus.

Harvard Business Review

This could be made permanent and linked to the political situation.The most likely outcome of all this is that Romania's bid to join the borderless Schengen area will be completely derailed.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"But if we lose, does it completely derail it?

The New York Times - Sports

That way, even if they indulge a bit, they won't completely derail their fitness goals.

The Washington Post

It's a real condition and it's cost him dearly, at one point threatening to completely derail his career.

The Guardian - Film

But he also cast doubt on Trump's ability to completely derail US efforts towards combatting climate change.

The Guardian

"The mindset is resilience and uber-focus, because there are going to be things that completely derail you — like even having power.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely derailed" to describe events, plans, or processes that have been irrevocably disrupted or have failed to achieve their intended outcome. It implies a significant deviation from the original course.

Common error

While "completely derailed" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing where a more nuanced or precise term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "thoroughly disrupted" or "seriously compromised" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely derailed" functions as a modifier describing the extent to which something has gone off course. It emphasizes the thoroughness and totality of the disruption. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely derailed" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations where plans or events have been significantly and irrevocably disrupted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While adaptable, avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more precise alternatives might be preferable. Remember that it conveys a strong sense of disruption, implying a failure to achieve the intended outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally disrupted

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the disruption, similar to "completely derailed".

fully disrupted

Similar to 'totally disrupted,' stressing the comprehensive nature of the disruption.

utterly ruined

Focuses on the negative outcome and the extent of the damage, akin to a plan being "completely derailed".

entirely thwarted

Highlights the prevention of a plan or action, mirroring the effect of something being "completely derailed".

absolutely wrecked

Emphasizes the severe damage or destruction, comparable to a complete derailment.

irrevocably disrupted

Suggests that the disruption is permanent and cannot be reversed, similar to a plan being "completely derailed".

hopelessly ruined

Highlights the lack of hope for recovery after the event, mirroring the implications of "completely derailed".

fatally undermined

Implies a critical weakness or flaw that leads to failure, similar to the underlying cause of a derailment.

irreparably damaged

Focuses on the lasting damage caused, similar to the aftermath of a plan being "completely derailed".

totally undermined

Stresses the completeness of the undermining effect, leading to failure.

FAQs

How can I use "completely derailed" in a sentence?

You can use "completely derailed" to describe situations where plans or events have gone entirely off track. For instance: "The project was going smoothly until the sudden budget cuts "completely derailed" our progress."

What are some alternatives to "completely derailed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "totally disrupted", "utterly ruined", or "entirely thwarted", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "completely derailed" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, it may be more suitable to use more formal alternatives like "seriously compromised" or "thoroughly disrupted" in professional or academic contexts to maintain a higher level of formality.

What does it mean when something is described as "completely derailed"?

It means that the event, plan, or process has been so disrupted or diverted from its original course that it is unlikely to recover or achieve its intended outcome. The degree of disruption is significant and often implies failure.