Go Wrong

What Does "Go Wrong" Mean?

"Go wrong" is an English idiom. It means "to take a negative or undesirable turn; to make a mistake or experience failure."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "go wrong" used in a sentence:

• Their plan seemed promising at first, but it quickly went wrong when unforeseen challenges arose.
• It's essential to have a backup strategy in case things go wrong during the project.
• The decision to cut corners and save costs ultimately made the construction project go wrong.

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Go Wrong" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

You now know what "go wrong" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions