it went horribly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it went horribly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that did not go as planned and resulted in negative outcomes. Example: "The experiment was supposed to yield groundbreaking results, but it went horribly wrong, leading to unexpected consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Then it went horribly wrong.

The Guardian

Whatever it was, it went horribly wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Then all of a sudden it went horribly wrong.

Independent

"And it went horribly wrong for me at [Newcastle].

Independent

Then it went horribly wrong for long periods.

The Guardian - Sport

The alliance was a good idea, but it went horribly wrong".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If it goes horribly wrong, they face only limited downside.

The Economist

James always has another track ready, should it go horribly wrong.

The Guardian - Music

But I see the one-in-a-hundred where it goes horribly wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And if it goes wrong and you're in a high-profile job, it goes horribly wrong".

The Guardian

I can only think most of us are too nervous to give it a go, so on the rare occasion we blunder in, it goes horribly wrong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it went horribly wrong", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "it went horribly wrong" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "the situation deteriorated significantly" or "the outcome was disastrous" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it went horribly wrong" functions as a predicate, describing the state or outcome of a previously mentioned subject. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English. The word "horribly" modifies "went", intensifying the negative outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it went horribly wrong" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations that have taken a significantly negative turn. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While predominantly found in news and media, its usage spans various contexts, though more formal settings may benefit from more sophisticated vocabulary. As for now, the sources show that this expression is "correct" and usable in written English, to describe something that didn't go as planned and had negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it turned into a catastrophe

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the situation.

it ended in disaster

Focuses on the disastrous outcome of the situation.

it became a complete mess

Highlights the chaotic and disorganized state of the situation.

it took a turn for the worse

Emphasizes the negative change in the situation.

it degenerated into chaos

Focuses on the gradual decline and chaotic outcome.

it backfired spectacularly

Highlights the unexpected and negative consequences.

it descended into madness

Implies a loss of control and rationality.

it all fell apart

Suggests a complete and sudden disintegration of the situation.

it crashed and burned

Implies a dramatic and complete failure.

it proved to be a fiasco

Identifies the situation as a complete failure.

FAQs

How can I use "it went horribly wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "it went horribly wrong" to describe a situation or event that did not go as planned and resulted in negative outcomes. For example, "The experiment was supposed to yield groundbreaking results, but "it went horribly wrong", leading to unexpected consequences."

What can I say instead of "it went horribly wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "it ended in disaster", "it took a turn for the worse", or "it backfired spectacularly" depending on the context.

Is "it went horribly wrong" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "it went horribly wrong" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using phrases like "the experiment yielded adverse results" or "the project encountered significant setbacks" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "it went horribly wrong" and "it went wrong"?

"It went wrong" simply indicates that something did not go as planned. "It went horribly wrong" emphasizes that the situation deteriorated to a significant degree, resulting in substantial negative consequences.