go off course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go off course" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a situation in which an activity moves away from its original intent, direction, or plan. For example: "The company was on track to meet its targets, but then sales started to go off course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Norad also now frequently scrambles fighter jets to investigate when passenger planes go off course or report other trouble.

The New York Times

"I took my kids around the junkies and bums and told them what can happen if they go off course," she said.

The New York Times

"He wanted Shawn to hold the rope on the tube the first trip down," Sally told us, "but the next one he said, 'I will do it all by myself.' " The hill, she explained, was sloped in such a way that you go very fast, but you cannot go off course, making it safe for children.

The New York Times - Arts

The "recalculating" moment happens when we go off course, miss..

University of Chicago

While customers may not always know best, they should be listened to so the product doesn't go off course, become too overwhelming to be valuable and fail.

Forbes

That means they're more likely to damage their careers, since CCL research has also shown that poor interpersonal skills are the biggest reason promising leaders' careers go off course.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"They have gone off course," he said of the developers.

The New York Times

But he went off course again in the sixth.

The New York Times

Benner said the zigzag route suggested the builders had gone off course.

The Guardian

Every computer error, every false alert, every test missile that goes off course, pulls the trigger.

Stanford University

"Of course our ships have autopilot, which immediately sends a warning signal when the ship goes off course," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go off course" when describing a deviation from a planned route, strategy, or intended behavior. It is suitable for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "go off course" in situations where a stronger term like "fail" or "collapse" is more appropriate. "Go off course" implies a deviation, not necessarily a complete failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go off course" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a deviation from a planned direction, route, or intended behavior. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase, as supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go off course" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe deviations from intended paths or plans. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and high frequency across various contexts. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While synonyms like "deviate from the plan" and "veer off track" exist, "go off course" provides a clear and concise way to express the idea of something straying from its intended direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

veer off track

Similar to "go off course", it suggests a change in direction, often unexpectedly.

deviate from the plan

This alternative directly suggests a departure from an established plan or strategy.

stray from the path

This phrase implies a metaphorical departure from a correct or intended course of action.

lose one's way

Implies becoming disoriented or losing direction, either literally or figuratively.

get sidetracked

This suggests being distracted or diverted from the main purpose or task.

digress from the main idea

Emphasizes a temporary departure from the central point, often in a structured context.

drift away from the point

Suggests a gradual and unintentional departure from the central idea.

wander from the subject

Specifically refers to deviating from the main topic in a conversation or discussion.

get off topic

A more casual way of saying "wander from the subject", applicable in informal settings.

go astray

Implies a deviation leading to negative consequences or moral wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "go off course" in a sentence?

You can use "go off course" to describe anything that deviates from its intended path. For example, "The project started well, but it "went off course" due to budget cuts."

What is a synonym for "go off course"?

Alternatives to "go off course" include "veer off track", "deviate from the plan", or "stray from the path", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "went off course" or "gone off course"?

Both "went off course" and "gone off course" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Went off course" is the simple past tense, while "gone off course" is used in perfect tenses (e.g., "has gone off course").

What's the difference between "go off course" and "go off track"?

While similar, "go off course" often implies a deviation from a planned route or strategy, whereas "go off track" can also mean losing focus or concentration. The choice depends on the specific context.