has gone screwy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has gone screwy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or thing that has become chaotic, confused, or malfunctioning. Example: "Ever since the update, my computer has gone screwy, and I can't access any of my files."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And I ask forgiveness" — and it seems fair to say that, when your mom writes the bitter memoir, something really has gone screwy in your emotional life.

The New Yorker

And I ask forgiveness"—and it seems fair to say that, when your mom writes the bitter memoir, something really has gone screwy in your emotional life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Something has gone wrong: maybe the logic was screwy (how can an egg have an egg?); maybe a kind of barnyard hubris, "scooping up / both possibilities," has brought them, mother and baby, to this unimaginable impasse.

The New Yorker

"To have Dewey as candidate of a big party to run the United States with the problems that are facing," he said, "it is just the surest indication that either I have gone completely screwy or else I have lived 10 years too long".

The New York Times

It's kinda gone screwy".

The Guardian - Music

Did his trajectory somehow make sense, now that he was back at the spot where it all went screwy?

The New Yorker

Although officially Vietnam is on the right track regarding poaching protection and pangolins, this is a pretty good and clear example of how things can go screwy between proclamations from on high and practices on the ground.

Vice

"The almanac has been screwy for three years now".

The New York Times

"The main reason for this," she says, "isn't the lupus itself, but the overlapping syndromes and conditions that arise from having a screwy immune system".

The New York Times - Health

Every scientist bit by the GW bug seems to have some screwy story for why they got involved in this far-fetched hunt; this one is mine.

Huffington Post

It could have been the screwy dentist from Portland.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has gone screwy" in informal contexts where you want to convey that something is not working correctly or has become disorganized. For example, "Ever since the update, the software has gone screwy."

Common error

Avoid using "has gone screwy" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more professional alternatives like "has malfunctioned" or "has gone wrong" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has gone screwy" functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating a state or condition that something has entered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that something is not functioning correctly or has become chaotic. The examples provided by Ludwig show its usage in describing various situations where things have gone wrong.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has gone screwy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is malfunctioning or has become chaotic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is primarily used in informal contexts, particularly within news and media. When a more professional tone is needed, alternatives like "has malfunctioned" or "has gone wrong" are more appropriate. While its meaning is clear, it's important to choose a register suitable for the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has gone haywire

This alternative shares a similar level of informality and implies a chaotic malfunction.

has gone wrong

This alternative is a general term for something not working as expected.

has gone awry

This alternative is slightly more formal than "has gone screwy".

has malfunctioned

This alternative is more technical and less colloquial.

has gone amiss

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

is out of order

This alternative is often used for machines or systems that are temporarily not functioning.

has broken down

This alternative implies a complete failure or cessation of function.

has become chaotic

This alternative emphasizes the disordered and unpredictable nature of the situation.

has fallen apart

This alternative implies a more significant level of disintegration or failure.

has become disordered

This alternative is more formal and suggests a lack of order.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has gone screwy"?

When something "has gone screwy", it means that it is malfunctioning, not working correctly, or has become disorganized or chaotic.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has gone screwy"?

It's appropriate to use "has gone screwy" in informal settings, conversations, or writing where a more casual tone is acceptable. Avoid it in formal or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "has gone screwy" in a professional context?

In professional settings, you can use alternatives such as "has malfunctioned", "has gone wrong", or "is out of order".

Is "has gone screwy" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has gone screwy" is grammatically correct, but it is considered an informal expression. Using it is a matter of choosing an appropriate register.