things go awry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things go awry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where events do not go as planned or expected. Example: "Despite our careful planning, things went awry during the event, leading to unexpected challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And when things go awry?

The New York Times - Magazine

But then things go awry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's where things go awry in Connecticut.

The New York Times

When things go awry, somehow the fates forgive him.

The Economist

Things go awry in "Blindness" from the start.

The New Yorker

Mess with this system and things go awry really fast.

The New York Times

And who is responsible when things go awry?

Stanford University

But the system is not foolproof and things go awry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"When things go awry total secrecy is not desirable.

The Guardian

Without giving away the ending, things go awry.

The New York Times

When Faithless allow the tempo to drop, things go awry.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things go awry" when you want to describe a situation where multiple aspects are deviating from the expected course. It is suitable for describing complex, multi-faceted issues.

Common error

Avoid using "things go awry" in very formal or technical writing where more precise language is preferred. While acceptable, it can sometimes lack the specificity required in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things go awry" functions as an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig, it describes a situation where events deviate from the expected or planned course. The examples in the search results show its use in various contexts, indicating its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things go awry" is a common and versatile expression used to describe situations where events don't go as planned. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While acceptable in many situations, it is generally more appropriate for neutral to slightly informal writing, as more precise language might be preferred in highly formal or technical contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and specificity required by your writing. As shown in the examples, it aptly conveys that a situation has deviated from its intended course, alerting the audience to potential problems or unexpected outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things go wrong

A more direct and commonly used alternative.

things go amiss

A slightly more formal and less common alternative.

things don't go as planned

A more explicit and explanatory alternative.

something goes amiss

Similar to 'things go amiss' but uses 'something' to emphasize an unspecified issue.

things fall apart

Suggests a more significant and complete failure.

problems arise

Focuses specifically on the emergence of difficulties.

difficulties occur

A more formal and neutral way of saying problems arise.

hit a snag

An idiomatic expression suggesting a minor, unexpected problem.

meet with difficulties

A formal way to describe encountering problems.

encounter problems

A neutral way to describe encountering problems.

FAQs

How can I use "things go awry" in a sentence?

You can use "things go awry" to describe situations where plans or events do not proceed as expected. For example: "Despite our careful planning, things went awry during the event."

What are some alternatives to saying "things go awry"?

You can use alternatives like "things go wrong", "problems arise", or "difficulties occur" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "things go awry" in formal writing?

While "things go awry" is grammatically correct, it's generally more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives.

What does "awry" mean in the phrase "things go awry"?

In this context, "awry" means away from the correct course; amiss or wrong. It indicates that something has deviated from the expected or planned outcome.