it went awry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it went awry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that has gone wrong or not as planned. Example: "The event was supposed to be a success, but unfortunately, it went awry due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That was a creditable policy but it went awry.

The Economist

A management source said it went awry and Tilley didn't rebut some of Mosley's arguments.

The Guardian

Facebook's stock offering appeared to be doing the job of drumming up interest before it went awry.

The New York Times

The selection call guaranteed condemnation for O'Neill if it went awry for Northern Ireland once again but vindication was emphatic.

The Guardian - Sport

-- have all receded, and what remains is an abiding knowledge of our years together -- years of hope for the future, joy in our children -- before it went awry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mostly it worked well enough, but it went awry in Contrapunctus XVI, when Mr. Brookshire appeared to have taken a wrong turn.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It's just too important to let it go awry".

The New York Times

"Sometimes it works and sometimes it goes awry".

The New Yorker

But when it goes awry, it can lead to some real head scratching.

The New York Times

Obama's plan is a big deal for electric utilities and, if it goes awry, potentially for millions of households.

The Washington Post

By Alexis Okeowo Melina Matsoukas says, of her imagery, "Sometimes it works and sometimes it goes awry".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it went awry" when you want to describe a situation that deviated from its intended course in a subtle or unexpected manner. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts, adding a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

While "it went awry" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in very informal settings where simpler phrases like "it went wrong" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it went awry" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, describing an event or situation that has deviated from its intended course. As Ludwig AI describes, this is a standard English construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it went awry" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a situation that didn't go as planned. As noted by Ludwig AI, it’s best used in neutral to slightly formal contexts, conveying a sense of sophistication. While "it went wrong" serves as a simpler alternative, "it went awry" adds a nuanced flavor to your writing. Although less frequent than other similar expressions, it's consistently used across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it went wrong

More direct and less formal than "it went awry".

it took a turn for the worse

Implies a negative change or deterioration.

it fell apart

Suggests a complete failure or disintegration.

it backfired

Indicates an unintended negative consequence.

it misfired

Like backfired, but often used for plans or attempts.

it went south

Informal way to say things deteriorated.

it came to naught

More formal, suggesting the effort was wasted.

it didn't pan out

Suggests a plan or expectation failed to materialize.

it went haywire

Implies chaotic or uncontrolled failure.

it floundered

Suggests struggling or failing due to incompetence.

FAQs

What does "it went awry" mean?

The phrase "it went awry" means that something went wrong or didn't happen as planned. It suggests a deviation from the intended course or a failure to achieve the desired outcome.

How can I use "it went awry" in a sentence?

You can use "it went awry" to describe various situations where something didn't go as expected. For example: "The project was well-planned, but "it went awry" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "it went awry"?

You can use alternatives like "it went wrong", "it took a turn for the worse", or "it fell apart" depending on the context.

Is "it went awry" formal or informal?

"It went awry" is considered somewhat formal but can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal situations, simpler alternatives like "it went wrong" might be more appropriate.