go terribly well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go terribly well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is expected to have a very negative outcome or to express that something did not succeed as planned. Example: "I was worried that the meeting would go terribly well, but it turned out to be a disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

His efforts did not go terribly well.

The New York Times

But it didn't go terribly well.

The Guardian - Opinion

His first year did not go terribly well, though Conard eventually identified an ideal takeover target, a company that made pharmaceutical-test instruments.

The New York Times - Magazine

So Mr Prodi, eager to find some inspiring ideas about architecture and much else besides is staging two seminars on Brussels this year, with a cast of European intellectuals.The first, in May, did not go terribly well.

The Economist

Kenny, who like James missed out on a European gold medal this month, said: "The Europeans didn't go terribly well, but hopefully we'll be a bit nearer the pace.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Our mission isn't going terribly well.

The New York Times

So far it has not gone terribly well.

The Guardian - Sport

Republicans could use a buzzkill after a convention period that does not appear to have gone terribly well for them.

The New York Times

It is a gloriously warm October Saturday evening in Milan and things aren't going terribly well.

The Guardian - Travel

So things aren't going terribly well for our trio of detectives, but providing an escape route from their professional purgatories is Katherine Davis, the state attorney.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I had three vivas and all went terribly well, so I was horrified that I got a 2.1 – there was only one first in the department that year – and I didn't go to collect my degree.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go terribly well" to express a strong expectation of failure or a significant lack of success, emphasizing the negative outcome more than a simple 'failure'.

Common error

Avoid using "go terribly well" when a milder expression of failure or lack of success is more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go terribly well" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the manner in which an event or action unfolds. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and suitable for describing events with negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go terribly well" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation or event that is expected to or has resulted in a negative or unsuccessful outcome, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not very frequent, it's commonly found in news and media contexts. Consider using alternatives like "fail miserably" or "turn out badly" to express similar meanings. Be mindful of its intensity and avoid using it when a milder expression is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go awry

Highlights a deviation from the intended course, leading to an undesirable outcome.

turn out badly

Focuses on the negative outcome or result of an event or situation.

fail miserably

Emphasizes the degree of failure, suggesting a complete and utter lack of success.

be a fiasco

Highlights the embarrassing or chaotic nature of the failure.

end in disaster

Stresses the catastrophic nature of the failure.

prove unsuccessful

A formal way of stating that something did not achieve its intended purpose.

fall flat

Implies a lack of impact or success, often used in the context of performances or ideas.

not go as planned

A more neutral alternative, indicating a simple deviation from expectations.

flop

Similar to "bomb", but slightly less harsh, suggesting a general lack of success.

bomb

An informal term for failing spectacularly.

FAQs

What does "go terribly well" mean?

It means that something is expected to or has resulted in a very negative or unsuccessful outcome. It emphasizes a strong sense of failure or disaster.

How can I use "go terribly well" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an event, project, or situation that has failed spectacularly. For example, "The presentation didn't "go as planned" and in fact, "went terribly well".

Are there any synonyms for "go terribly well"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "fail miserably", "turn out badly", or "go awry" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "go terribly well" or "go very badly"?

"Go terribly well" is a correct but less common way of saying something didn't succeed. The phrase "go very badly" is more direct and commonly used to describe something that has failed significantly.