go awry

English

Verb

go awry (third-person singular simple present goes awry, present participle going awry, simple past went awry, past participle gone awry)

1. (intransitive) To become twisted, or turned to one side.
2. (intransitive) To depart from the correct course.
3. (intransitive) Of a situation, to fall apart or unravel; to fall into disorder; to hit the fan.

Usage notes

• If something is going awry it means that the situation is falling apart or unraveling, has become chaotic and disorderly, and is not approaching the anticipated outcome.

Derived terms

• the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry