derail the project

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "derail the project" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or events that cause a project to fail or go off course. Example: "If we don't address the budget issues soon, they could derail the project entirely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

I knew talking about my research could be risky, and might derail the project.

The New York Times

Short-term costs could, then, ultimately derail the project, as they did in the 1970s.

The Economist

She said that the civic association consistently finds new grounds to try to derail the project.

The New York Times

He added that if the problems persisted, they could derail the project.

The New York Times

"Maybe there is something out there we haven't thought of that could derail the project.

The New York Times

At times, they have threatened to derail the project, or delay it indefinitely.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Otherwise, upper-level control units could derail the projects easily.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

In the private sector, business interests deploy CEQA challenges to derail the projects of their competitors.

Los Angeles Times

Watergate had only temporarily derailed the project.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Shaimagambetov says arguments over money have derailed the project.

The Economist

When an electrical substation was proposed in 1992, hundreds of protesters derailed the project.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "derail the project", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Does it imply a complete failure, a significant delay, or a weakening of the project's goals? Choose synonyms accordingly.

Common error

While "derail the project" is widely understood, it can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "delay" or "complicate" when discussing minor setbacks.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "derail the project" is as a verb phrase acting as a predicate. It describes an action that can negatively affect a project's progress or outcome. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "derail the project" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that means to cause a project to fail or go off course. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is suitable for various professional contexts, including news reporting and business communications. Although "derail the project" is often found in news contexts (74%), it should be used with consideration in informal settings. Alternatives like "jeopardize", "hinder", or "undermine" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Being mindful of these subtle differences will strengthen the clarity and effect of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jeopardize the project

Implies putting the project at risk or in danger of failing.

hinder the project

Suggests slowing down or obstructing the progress of the project.

undermine the project

Focuses on weakening the foundation or effectiveness of the project.

thwart the project

Indicates actively preventing the project from succeeding.

sabotage the project

Emphasizes deliberate destruction or disruption of the project.

impede the project

Similar to hinder, but may imply a more significant obstacle.

disrupt the project

Highlights the interruption or disturbance of the project's workflow.

frustrate the project

Suggests causing difficulties and preventing the project's progress.

obstruct the project

Similar to hinder, implying a forceful blockage of the project's path.

stall the project

Indicates a temporary halt or delay in the project's progress.

FAQs

What does "derail the project" mean?

The phrase "derail the project" means to cause a project to fail, be significantly delayed, or go off course. It suggests that something has happened to prevent the project from reaching its intended goals.

What can I say instead of "derail the project"?

You can use alternatives such as "jeopardize the project", "hinder the project", or "undermine the project" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "derail the project" or "delay the project"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. "Derail the project" implies a more significant disruption or failure than "delay the project", which simply means to postpone or slow down the project's progress.

How to use "derail the project" in a sentence?

You can use "derail the project" in a sentence like: "If we don't address the budget issues soon, they could derail the project entirely."