derailment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "derailment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of causing something to deviate from its intended course, often used in contexts related to trains or metaphorically in discussions about plans or projects. Example: "The sudden budget cuts led to a derailment of the entire project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

The Guardian

Network Rail Infrastructure is proposing to pay bonuses worth £1.7m to its directors (The bonus now arriving is only slightly delayed, 4 July), despite the fact that in April this year the company was fined £4m after the 2007 Grayrigg derailment disaster.

The Guardian - Business

Surveys suggest that only 12-15% of Greek-Cypriots are certain to endorse it.In this section A derailment coming Biting the hand that feeds you A chance or a trap?

The Economist

The broken rail which caused the derailment had been identified as defective many months before.

The Economist

If America imports Mexican televisions merely because the Mexican goods are tariff-free, even if Malaysia has a comparative advantage in television manufacturing, the main benefit of trade will be lost.In this section A question of preference A detour or a derailment?

The Economist

That means taking each train to pieces, and checking the motor, the gearbox and the coupling between them (something involving that coupling is suspected as the most likely cause of the derailment).

The Economist

(There were even rumours that the security agencies staged the explosion to cover up a derailment caused by poor maintenance).

The Economist

Since San Francisco has lots of tech-savvy commuters and visitors, it also decided to be the first large city to offer a free option for connecting, and so brought in Google, which will try to fund its network using advertising rather than relying on subscriptions as Earthlink does.The delay and possible derailment of the plan by the Board of Supervisors is therefore frustrating.

The Economist

Even if this nuclear-powered train takes to the rails, however, concern about the consequences of a derailment will probably impede widespread adoption.A different sort of futuristic train propulsion is already hurtling passengers between Shanghai and its airport at 430kph.

The Economist

It points, for example, to an unplanned £80m refurbishment of trains on the Central Line, following a derailment just before the firm took over.

The Economist

Sour subsidies A Greek wrecker Another intifada in the making Out of Gaza Reprints Related items Cyprus: A derailment comingApr 15th 2004If Mr Papadopoulos deserves to be ostracised, it is not for the mere fact of saying no to the proposed peace plan.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing non-railway contexts, consider whether a more specific term like "setback" or "failure" might be more appropriate than the general term "derailment".

Common error

Avoid using "derailment" excessively in contexts unrelated to trains. Overuse can weaken your writing. Choose more precise language to convey the intended meaning such as "setback" or "disruption".

Linguistic Context

The noun "derailment" functions primarily as a subject or object within a sentence, denoting the event of a train leaving its tracks or, metaphorically, the disruption of a plan. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in news and media contexts, confirming its role in describing both literal and figurative disruptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "derailment" is a grammatically sound noun, commonly used to describe the event of a train leaving its tracks, or metaphorically, the disruption of a plan or process. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With examples primarily sourced from news and media outlets, the phrase maintains a neutral register and serves to inform about disruptions or deviations from expected outcomes. While versatile, it's important to consider more specific alternatives in non-railway contexts to enhance clarity. Related phrases include "train accident", "loss of control", and "failure to stay on course". Overall, "derailment" is a valuable term for describing both literal and figurative disruptions, offering a clear and concise way to convey the idea of something going off track.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train accident

Focuses specifically on the accident aspect of a train leaving the rails.

train crash

Similar to 'train accident', but emphasizes the impact and collision.

loss of control

Describes the general event of not maintaining the intended movement.

deviation from track

A more technical description of the train leaving its designated path.

failure to stay on course

Highlights the inability to maintain the intended direction or plan.

abandonment of plan

Describes a project, initiative or effort being totally abandoned.

frustration of plan

Highlights the prevention of a goal or plan from succeeding or happening.

abandonment of project

Describes a project or initiative being totally abandoned.

failure of project

Highlights the impossibility of a goal or plan from succeeding or happening.

blunting of efforts

Highlights the prevention of efforts to fully succeed or happen.

FAQs

What does "derailment" mean in a literal sense?

Literally, "derailment" refers to the event when a train comes off its tracks, typically due to a mechanical failure, track defect, or human error.

How is "derailment" used metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "derailment" signifies a situation where plans, projects, or discussions go off course, often unexpectedly. It suggests a significant deviation from the intended path.

What are some synonyms for "derailment" in a metaphorical context?

In a metaphorical sense, you can replace "derailment" with words like ""setback"", "failure", ""disruption"", or "breakdown", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "derailment" be used in both formal and informal writing?

"Derailment" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, but be mindful of your audience. In some formal contexts, a more precise or technical term might be preferred. In the majority of cases it's better to substitute it with "setback".