things go sideways

USAGE SUMMARY

"things go sideways" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is an idiomatic way of saying that something has gone wrong or gone awry. For example, "Our plans to launch the new product went sideways when the supply chain unexpectedly failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I always see a happy ending, even when things go sideways.

The New York Times

She suggests keeping a record of relevant conversations and enlisting allies to support you if things go sideways.

Harvard Business Review

Solomon: Where do things go sideways on the service side, in spite of your best efforts?

Forbes

And yeah, there's a way to reboot the shoes if things go sideways.

TechCrunch

"That scared us because when you have unknowns in crypto that's when things go sideways.

BBC

Mr. ANDREESSEN: In general, you try to but, you know, but sometimes things go sideways for one reason or another.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But then things went sideways.

The New York Times

But then, suddenly, things went sideways.

The Guardian - Opinion

Curtis Granderson then singled to right field, and that was when things went sideways.

The New York Times - Sports

It was in 2006 that things went sideways for the straight-hitting Leonard.

The New York Times - Sports

She had planned to be a hospital administrator, but things went sideways after the September 11th attacks, and she ended up at Columbia Law School, on a full scholarship.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things go sideways" when you want to convey that a situation has unexpectedly taken a turn for the worse. It's suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "things go sideways" is widely understood, avoid it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and professional alternatives like "complications arose" or "the project encountered difficulties".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things go sideways" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase to describe a situation that unexpectedly deviates from the intended or expected course. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things go sideways" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a situation that has unexpectedly gone wrong. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. While widely understood and accepted in various contexts, it's best suited for informal and semi-formal communication. For highly formal or academic writing, opting for more direct alternatives like "complications arose" or "the project encountered difficulties" is advisable. Its frequency is classified as common, with its primary usage occurring in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia sources. Therefore, understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts ensures effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things go wrong

This is a more direct and less idiomatic way of saying that something has failed or turned out badly.

things go awry

This alternative is slightly more formal and suggests a deviation from the expected course.

things fall apart

This phrase implies a more severe and complete breakdown or failure.

plans go astray

This alternative focuses specifically on the failure of plans, rather than general situations.

matters go amiss

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

problems arise

This is a neutral alternative that highlights the emergence of difficulties.

difficulties ensue

This is a formal alternative that focuses on the chronological sequence of problems following an event.

chaos erupts

This phrase emphasizes a sudden and dramatic onset of disorder or confusion.

everything unravels

This suggests a gradual disintegration or collapse of a situation.

the situation deteriorates

This is a formal way to indicate that circumstances are worsening.

FAQs

What does "things go sideways" mean?

The phrase "things go sideways" means that something goes wrong or doesn't happen as planned. It indicates an unexpected and often negative turn of events.

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

You can use "things go sideways" to describe situations where plans or projects encounter unexpected problems. For example, "Our marketing campaign "things went sideways" when our main influencer dropped out unexpectedly."

What are some alternatives to "things go sideways"?

Alternatives to "things go sideways" include "things go wrong", "things go awry", or "plans fall apart", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "things go sideways" appropriate for formal writing?

While "things go sideways" is common in informal and semi-formal contexts, it's generally best to avoid it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using alternatives like "complications arose" or "the project encountered difficulties" for a more professional tone.