go wrong
/ɡoʊ rɔːŋ/
Meaning
This phrase is used when a plan, process, or machine fails, encounters problems, or does not produce the desired result. It describes a turn of events from good or neutral to bad.
Examples
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Everything was fine until the computer system went wrong.
Everything was fine until the computer system went wrong.
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If anything goes wrong during the trip, please call me immediately.
If anything goes wrong during the trip, please call me immediately.
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We planned the party carefully, so nothing should go wrong.
We planned the party carefully, so nothing should go wrong.
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Where did we go wrong with this recipe? The cake is completely flat.
Where did we go wrong with this recipe? The cake is completely flat.
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It is hard to go wrong with a simple black dress for the event.
It is hard to go wrong with a simple black dress for the event.
Common Mistakes
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✗ Our holiday became wrong because of the rain.
✓ Our holiday went wrong because of the rain.
We use the verb 'go' (past tense 'went') with 'wrong' to indicate things failing, not 'become'.
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✗ I hope nothing will go wrongly tomorrow.
✓ I hope nothing will go wrong tomorrow.
'Wrong' acts as an adverb/adjective in this fixed phrase, so do not add '-ly'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Don't worry, nothing will ___.
💡 Use the base form after 'will'.
Show answer
go wrong
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The experiment ___ because we missed a step.
💡 Use the past tense.
Show answer
went wrong