derail myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "derail myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or thoughts that lead to a distraction or deviation from one's intended path or goals. Example: "I was making great progress on my project, but then I started browsing social media and completely derailed myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's the life path I chose long ago, and I couldn't derail myself now if I wanted to".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

("I saw that I had three kids in diapers — it was a huge transition — and I derailed myself," she said).

The New York Times

I found myself derailed into a dark parallel universe where I held hands with the distraught women who came to us – a small newspaper in a foreign language – because nobody else would listen.

The Guardian

As I was being half-heartedly throttled by Tom for the last time, I promised myself I would never let my loins derail my life again: I was done with sex.

Vice

Governments should not derail it.

The Economist

It will never derail".

The New York Times

Not even "Nashville" can derail Nashville.

The New York Times - Arts

Either one could derail an agreement.

The New York Times - Sports

The change seems unlikely to derail Obamacare.

The Economist

Or will this background stuff derail him?

The New Yorker

His flightiness could derail a promising career.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "derail myself" when you want to emphasize a sudden and complete disruption of your plans or progress. It suggests a more forceful and abrupt change than simply getting distracted.

Common error

Avoid using "derail myself" in highly formal writing. While grammatically sound, it can sound too informal or dramatic. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "lose focus" or "get sidetracked" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "derail myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of derailing is directed back to the subject. It describes an action that causes a deviation or disruption in one's own plans or progress. Ludwig examples show it's used to describe a conscious or unconscious action that leads to a loss of focus.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "derail myself" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of causing oneself to deviate from a planned course or goal. According to Ludwig, it functions as a reflexive verb phrase and is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While its usage is relatively rare, as stated by Ludwig, it effectively conveys the idea of self-sabotage or unintended disruption. When writing, consider the level of formality required and whether the more forceful imagery of "derail" is appropriate or if gentler alternatives like "lose my focus" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lose my focus

This alternative directly replaces "derail" with a synonym for losing concentration.

Get sidetracked

This implies being drawn away from the main course or goal.

Go off course

This suggests deviating from the planned route or direction.

Become distracted

This highlights the state of having one's attention drawn away.

Stray from my path

This suggests a wandering or deviation from one's intended journey.

Be led astray

This emphasizes being influenced to deviate, often negatively.

Get thrown off track

This implies an external force causing the deviation.

Find myself diverted

This highlights the experience of being redirected from the original plan.

Go astray

This is a more general term for deviating from what is correct or expected.

Lose my way

This indicates a loss of direction or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "derail myself" in a sentence?

You can use "derail myself" to describe actions or thoughts that cause you to deviate significantly from your intended path or goals. For example, "I was making progress on my project, but social media completely derailed myself."

What does "derail myself" mean?

The phrase "derail myself" means to cause oneself to deviate suddenly from a planned course, activity, or intention, similar to a train being derailed from its tracks.

Which is correct, "derail myself" or "derail my self"?

"Derail myself" is the correct phrasing. "Derail my self" is grammatically incorrect as it separates the verb "derail" from the reflexive pronoun "myself" without reason.

Are there alternatives to "derail myself"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "lose my focus", "get sidetracked", or "go off course" depending on the specific context.