derailed
Thrown off track
Derailed means thrown off the rails, literally of a train that has left the track.
Figuratively, to be derailed is to be diverted from an intended course: The scandal derailed his campaign.
A conversation or plan gets derailed when something disrupts its progress: We got derailed by an argument about the budget.
Line touching curve once
- sidetrackedDiverted from main task
- digressionVeering off topic
- distractedUnable to concentrate
- unfocusedWithout clear direction
wandering · veering · diverted · off-topic · rambling · meandering · lost · astray
Reverse in progress
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- postponedMoved to a later date
- abandonedLeft behind completely
- scrappedDiscarded as useless
cancelled · rescheduled · delayed · thwarted · stalled · halted · suspended · shelved
Forceful contact between objects
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- crashSudden violent impact
- tracksMarks showing passage
- locomotiveRailway pulling machine
freight · passenger · conductor · engineer · crossing · signal · brakes · cars
Sudden loss of power
- setbackReverse in progress
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- collapseSudden structural failure
- failureLack of success
burnout · fired · demoted · blacklisted · sidelined · stalled · ruined · crashed
Failure or decomposition
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- unraveledCame undone or solved
- spiralingCurving in widening circles
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
unhinged · destabilized · overwhelmed · snapped · collapsed · disintegrated
tangent
Line touching curve once
- sidetrackedDiverted from main task
- digressionVeering off topic
- distractedUnable to concentrate
unfocused · wandering · veering · diverted · off-topic · rambling · meandering · lost · astray · hijacked
setback
Reverse in progress
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- postponedMoved to a later date
- abandonedLeft behind completely
scrapped · cancelled · rescheduled · delayed · thwarted · stalled · halted · suspended · shelved · interrupted
collision
Forceful contact between objects
locomotive · freight · passenger · conductor · engineer · crossing · signal · brakes · cars · wheels
downfall
Sudden loss of power
failure · burnout · fired · demoted · blacklisted · sidelined · stalled · ruined · crashed · imploded
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
meltdown · unhinged · destabilized · overwhelmed · snapped · collapsed · disintegrated
- train termsall aboard, engine, departure time, arrival time, passenger car
- Off Tracklost, detour, tangent, sidetrack, digression
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- Communication Problemsmiscommunication, misunderstanding, static, garbled, interference
- machine idiomswell-oiled machine, gears turning, firing on all cylinders, grinding gears, full steam ahead
derailedon track
Progressing as intended
on course · succeeded · on schedule · progressed · advanced