go sideways

USAGE SUMMARY

"go sideways" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means to move in a direction that is neither forward nor backward. For example, "The car skidded on the icy road and began to go sideways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I wasn't trying to go sideways.

The New York Times - Sports

"Nowadays I'd rather go sideways than up.

Independent

"We'll probably go sideways for a while," he predicted.

The New York Times

I always see a happy ending, even when things go sideways.

The New York Times

The runner-up, perhaps still green, himself looked more inclined to go sideways than forwards.

Independent

He says he believes that the shares could go sideways for a while but that he likes them for further gains over the long haul.

The New York Times

"My view is, the market is likely to go sideways for the next decade or so," Mr. Kass said, "and it's not a great place to have money".

The New York Times

But that afternoon, when Wion moved the conversation to #McDStories, to encourage people to keep talking about the farmers, the promotion quickly began to go sideways.

The New York Times - Magazine

Midfielders looking for a passing option tended to go sideways or backwards; forwards with the chance to shoot were inclined to take a touch too many.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Art since 1970 has gone sideways fast.

The New Yorker

She's not going sideways.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a market trend, "go sideways" indicates stagnation or lack of significant upward or downward movement. Use it to convey a sense of stability or lack of progress.

Common error

Avoid using "go sideways" solely for literal, physical movements. While technically accurate, it's more commonly used metaphorically to describe situations deviating from the norm. For literal movement, use alternatives like "move laterally" or "shift aside".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go sideways" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a deviation from an intended path or expected outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely recognized. The examples showcase both literal and metaphorical usages, with the latter being more prevalent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go sideways" is a versatile expression used to describe deviations from an expected path or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across a broad spectrum of contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While capable of indicating literal movement, the phrase most often functions metaphorically. When writing, be aware that its primary connotation is to imply that something is not proceeding as planned, so avoid using the term solely for literal, physical movements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from the plan

This alternative implies a departure from an original intention or strategy.

go off track

This alternative conveys a sense of losing direction or straying from the intended course.

go wrong

This alternative suggests a failure or a turn for the worse in a situation.

get out of hand

This alternative suggests a loss of control over a situation.

turn sour

This alternative emphasizes a negative change in the state of affairs.

take a turn for the worse

This alternative is emphasizes the aspect of a problematic outcome.

spin out of control

This alternative underlines the lack of handling a situation.

fall apart

This alternative refers to a process of disintegration or collapse.

get derailed

This alternative is similar to deviate but brings a stronger semantic load in which a subject follows a different path.

miss the mark

This alternative means failing to achieve the intended goal or outcome.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "goes sideways"?

When something "goes sideways", it means that things "go wrong" or deviate from the expected or planned course. It implies that a situation has taken an unexpected and often negative turn.

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

You can use "go sideways" to describe situations where plans or events don't unfold as expected. For example, "The project started well, but things "got derailed" when key personnel left the company".

Is it better to say "go sideways" or ""go wrong""?

Both "go sideways" and ""go wrong"" are acceptable, but they have slightly different connotations. "Go sideways" suggests a deviation from the expected path, while ""go wrong"" implies a failure or a negative outcome. The choice depends on the specific context.

What are some other phrases similar to "deviate from the plan"?

Similar phrases include "fall apart", "get out of hand", "go off track", and "turn sour". These all suggest that something has gone awry or is not proceeding as planned.