go off course

Meaning

This phrase means to deviate from a planned route, path, or direction, whether literally (like a ship, plane, or hiker) or metaphorically (like a project or conversation). It is a neutral expression used in navigation, travel, and daily life to describe losing direction.

Examples

• The ship went off course during the heavy storm last night.

  The ship went off course during the heavy storm last night.

• If we miss this turn, we might go off course and get lost in the woods.

  If we miss this turn, we might go off course and get lost in the woods.

• The pilot had to adjust the controls to prevent the plane from going off course.

  The pilot had to adjust the controls to prevent the plane from going off course.

• Our hiking group went off course because the trail markers were covered in snow.

  Our hiking group went off course because the trail markers were covered in snow.

• Without a proper map, it is very easy to go off course in this mountain range.

  Without a proper map, it is very easy to go off course in this mountain range.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The boat went off of course because of the wind.

  ✓ The boat went off course because of the wind.

  Avoid adding 'of' after 'off' in this set idiom; 'go off course' is the correct standard form.

• ✗ We went out of course during our road trip.

  ✓ We went off course during our road trip.

  The correct preposition is 'off', not 'out of', when referring to deviating from an established route.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The strong winds caused the hot air balloon to ___.

  💡 Deviate from its intended path.

  Show answer

  go off course

• Make sure you keep an eye on the GPS so we don't ___.

  💡 Lose our planned route.

  Show answer

  go off course