To Go Wrong – Meaning and Examples
Plans don’t always work perfectly. Machines break, and events don’t happen as we expect. In English, we say these things to go wrong. This idiom helps you talk about problems and mistakes in a natural way.
What Does “To Go Wrong” Mean?
“To go wrong” means to not happen as planned or expected. Think of it like following a recipe but the final dish doesn’t taste good. Something about the process failed. It is not about a direction. It is about things failing or having problems.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom when technology stops working. Use it when a plan fails or a situation becomes bad. You can use it for big projects or small daily tasks. It is a neutral phrase, good for any situation where things fail.
Example Sentences
- I followed the instructions, but something went wrong with the computer.
- Our picnic plans went wrong when it started raining.
- If anything goes wrong, please call me immediately.
- The cake went wrong because I used salt instead of sugar.
Mini Dialogue
Anna: “You look worried. Is everything okay with the presentation?”
Mark: “I’m just nervous something might go wrong with the technology.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this idiom is about failure or problems. It is not about taking an incorrect turn while driving.
❌ Don’t say: “I went wrong and got lost on my way here.” (Use “took a wrong turn” instead).
✅ Do say: “The experiment went wrong when the temperature got too high.”
Practice Tip
Think about a time when a simple plan went wrong for you. Try to describe it using “went wrong” in a sentence. This will help you remember the idiom.
Final Note
You now know how to use “to go wrong” when talking about plans and things that fail. It’s a very practical phrase for everyday conversations about problems. Use it confidently, and you’ll sound like a native speaker!