C1idiominformaltravelIELTS-friendly
go off the rails
USUK
to start behaving badly or to stop going as planned
Used for plans, projects and people (often teenagers) who lose control. It is not about real trains.
In context
The trip went off the rails when our bus broke down in the mountains.
Plans for the holiday began to go off the rails the moment it started to rain.
Common mistake
Incorrect: The project went out of the rails after the manager left.
Correct: The project went off the rails after the manager left.
More idioms about travel
- a bumpy ridea difficult period with many problems
- a change of scenerytime in a new place that makes you feel fresh and different
- a flying visita very short visit
- a fork in the roada point where you must choose between two different paths or decisions
- a home away from homea place where you feel as comfortable and relaxed as in your own home