go awry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go awry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something unexpected or undesirable that has happened. For example, "Our plans for the day went awry when it began to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Plenty more could go awry.

The Economist

So, what could go awry?

Independent

And when things go awry?

The New York Times - Magazine

Sometimes these experiments go awry.

The New York Times - Arts

But things quickly go awry.

The Guardian

But then things go awry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But things soon go awry.

The New York Times - Books

Then slowly things started to go awry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Did something go awry in their childhood?

Independent

But sometimes the ideas go awry.

The New York Times - Arts

Kagawa then saw another chance go awry.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go awry" to describe plans, projects, or processes that deviate from their intended course or experience unexpected problems. It's particularly effective when emphasizing a departure from an expected, organized path.

Common error

While "go awry" is widely understood, consider its formality. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "go wrong" or "mess up" might be more appropriate. Reserve "go awry" for situations where a touch of formality or emphasis on the deviation is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go awry" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating that something is deviating from its intended course or failing to achieve the expected outcome. Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go awry" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe when something deviates from its intended course or fails to achieve the expected outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While its register is generally neutral, leaning towards slightly formal, it fits well in news, reports, and general writing. Alternatives such as "go wrong" or "fall apart" may be more appropriate for casual settings. With a high presence in sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian, "go awry" is a reliable phrase to convey unexpected problems or failures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go wrong

This alternative is a more general and common way to express that something has failed or malfunctioned.

go amiss

This is a slightly more formal and less common way of saying that something has gone wrong.

fall apart

This suggests a more significant level of failure, implying that something has completely disintegrated or ceased to function.

prove unsuccessful

This is a straightforward way of saying that something has not achieved the desired outcome.

turn sour

This implies that a situation or relationship has become unpleasant or undesirable.

miss the mark

This means that something has failed to achieve its intended target or goal.

end in failure

This emphasizes the ultimate negative result of an endeavor.

come to naught

This suggests that efforts or plans have been unsuccessful and have yielded no positive results.

take a turn for the worse

This indicates that a situation has deteriorated or become more problematic.

go haywire

This implies a chaotic or uncontrolled failure, often associated with machinery or systems.

FAQs

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

You can use "go awry" to describe when plans, projects, or even personal intentions don't work out as expected. For example, "Even the best-laid plans can "go awry" unexpectedly".

What can I say instead of "go awry"?

You can use alternatives like "go wrong", "fall apart", or "go amiss" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "goes awry"?

When something "goes awry", it means it deviates from the expected or planned course. It suggests that something has gone wrong or has not worked out as intended. Similar phrases are "turn sour", "come to naught", and "miss the mark".

Is "go awry" formal or informal?

"Go awry" has a slightly formal tone compared to more casual alternatives like "go wrong". While suitable for news, reports, and formal discussions, simpler phrases might be better for informal conversations.