go amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

'go amiss' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe situations where something goes wrong, or when things do not happen in the way expected. For example: "The couple's attempt to keep their wedding day running smoothly quickly went amiss when they realized they had forgotten the wedding cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A green salad wouldn't go amiss, either.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And a teleporter wouldn't go amiss, either.

The Guardian

And Dave Watson wouldn't go amiss either.

The Guardian - Sport

A crusty loaf wouldn't go amiss, but is hardly essential.

The New York Times - Food

A little human warmth can never go amiss, after all.

The Guardian - Books

Some zest of orange, lemon and cranberries wouldn't go amiss!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Several three- and four-parters wouldn't go amiss either.

The Guardian

Much of Ovid's advice would not go amiss today.

The Guardian - Books

Some crumbled parmesan or pecorino wouldn't go amiss either.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And a bit of righteous indignation wouldn't go amiss neither.

The Guardian

Maybe a touch more pragmatism wouldn't go amiss after all.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go amiss" to add a touch of formality and sophistication to your writing, particularly when describing plans or processes that have encountered unexpected problems. This phrase works especially well in professional and journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "go amiss" in very informal or casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious in contexts where simpler phrases like "go wrong" or "mess up" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go amiss" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating that something has deviated from the expected or desired course. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in describing potential problems or failures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go amiss" is a correct and usable idiom that describes something going wrong or not proceeding as planned. It's most commonly found in news, lifestyle and sports contexts, lending a slightly formal tone to the writing. As Ludwig AI highlights, this expression is suitable for professional or journalistic contexts. While related to phrases like "go wrong" or "fail", "go amiss" adds a touch of sophistication to the communication. When writing, remember to reserve it for situations where a degree of formality is appropriate, avoiding its use in casual conversations where simpler alternatives would be better suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go wrong

A more direct and commonly used way to express that something has failed or deviated from the expected course.

fail

A basic and universally understood term for not succeeding.

go awry

Similar to "go amiss", but often implies a more sudden or unexpected failure.

not work out

A general way of expressing that something has not been successful or satisfactory.

turn sour

Suggests a negative change in a situation or relationship, leading to an undesirable outcome.

be unsuccessful

A straightforward way of stating that something has failed to achieve its intended outcome.

fall through

Specifically indicates that a plan or agreement has failed to materialize.

come to naught

A more formal way of saying that something has failed to achieve any positive result.

miss the mark

Suggests that something has not achieved its target or desired effect.

prove abortive

Implies that an attempt or plan was unsuccessful and had to be abandoned.

FAQs

How can I use "go amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "go amiss" to indicate that something has gone wrong or not according to plan. For example: "If any details "go amiss", please inform the event coordinator immediately."

What's a simpler way to say "go amiss"?

Alternatives to "go amiss" include "go wrong", "fail", or "not work out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more common to say "go amiss" or "gone amiss"?

"Go amiss" is the base form, while "gone amiss" is the past participle used in perfect tenses. For example, "Something may go amiss" versus "Something has gone amiss".

When is it appropriate to use "go amiss" instead of "go wrong"?

"Go amiss" carries a slightly more formal tone than "go wrong". Use "go amiss" in professional, academic, or journalistic contexts where a touch of sophistication is desired.