things could have gone terribly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things could have gone terribly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation where there was a potential for negative outcomes or consequences. Example: "We were lucky to avoid the accident; things could have gone terribly wrong if we hadn't reacted in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were so many ways this situation could have gone terribly wrong.

Huffington Post

If Petraeus and his band had not got their chance — and, reading Kaplan's book, it seems a miracle that they did — things could have gone terribly worse.

The New Yorker

"It was something that could have went terribly wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

It could've gone terribly wrong -- like really badly.

Huffington Post

There have also been times when things have gone terribly wrong.

BBC

I know what it's like when things have gone terribly wrong and the world doesn't seem quite possible to understand.

Los Angeles Times

This did not mean there were no risks things could quite easily have gone terribly wrong by accident or design, and the mutual interest in stability could have waned.

The Economist

We fall into the trap of believing that things are "supposed" to go well and that when we make a mistake or some difficulty comes along, something must have gone terribly wrong.

University of California, Berkeley

When it finally opened in 2011, all that its quarrelsome creators could agree upon was that things had gone terribly wrong.

The New York Times - Books

Something had gone terribly wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

I sensed something had gone terribly wrong.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things could have gone terribly wrong", follow it with an explanation of what actions were taken to avoid the negative consequences. This adds depth and provides context.

Common error

Avoid using "things could have gone terribly wrong" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for scenarios with genuinely significant potential negative impacts to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things could have gone terribly wrong" functions as a modal construction expressing hypothetical possibility in the past. It suggests a situation had the potential for a disastrous outcome, but this outcome was avoided. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things could have gone terribly wrong" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to highlight a situation where a negative outcome was narrowly avoided. While considered grammatically sound and versatile across different media like news and academic papers, its suitability depends on the context and intended audience. Alternatives can be considered for more formal or informal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is well-regarded and applicable in many writing scenarios, provided it aligns with the overall tone and register of the piece.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the consequences could have been dire

Focuses specifically on the potentially severe consequences, maintaining a formal and serious tone.

it almost turned into a catastrophe

Stresses the potential for a catastrophic outcome, adding intensity to the possible consequences.

we barely escaped a terrible fate

Emphasizes the severity of the potential negative outcome, suggesting a dire and undesirable consequence.

it nearly ended in disaster

Focuses on the near occurrence of a disastrous outcome, shifting from a hypothetical to a near-reality.

the situation nearly spiraled out of control

Focuses on the potential loss of control in a situation, emphasizing the chaotic possibilities.

disaster was narrowly averted

Highlights the successful prevention of a disaster, offering a more formal and dramatic tone.

it was a close call

Emphasizes the narrow margin by which a negative outcome was avoided. It's more concise and less descriptive.

we were fortunate to avoid a bad outcome

Highlights the role of luck in preventing a negative result, taking a more grateful perspective.

we dodged a bullet

Uses an idiom to convey the avoidance of a dangerous situation, providing a more informal and figurative expression.

it was touch and go for a while

Expresses a period of uncertainty where the outcome was unclear, adding a sense of tension and suspense.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "things could have gone terribly wrong" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "the consequences could have been dire" or "the situation presented a significant risk of adverse outcomes".

Is "things could have gone terribly wrong" suitable for business writing?

While grammatically correct, "things could have gone terribly wrong" might be too informal for some business contexts. Opt for phrases like "the potential for serious setbacks existed" or "significant risks were present" to maintain a professional tone.

What's a more casual way to say "things could have gone terribly wrong"?

Informal alternatives include "we dodged a bullet" or "it was a close call". These convey the same idea with a more relaxed tone.

How does "things could have gone terribly wrong" differ from "things went wrong"?

"Things could have gone terribly wrong" implies a potential negative outcome that was avoided, while "things went wrong" indicates that a negative outcome actually occurred. The former is hypothetical, the latter is factual.