going astray
Wandering off course
Going astray means wandering off the correct path or deviating from what's expected.
Literally, it describes getting lost: The hikers went astray in the fog.
More often figurative—straying from moral standards, proper behavior, or intended plans: Good kids can go astray without guidance.
Letters and packages go astray when they fail to reach their destination.
- getting lostBecoming unable to navigate
- errantDeviating from proper course
- misleadCause false belief
- deviateTurn from course
- sinViolation of divine law
detour · wandering off · off the beaten path · roaming · off-track · mistake · veering · transgression · heresy · meandering · wayward · wrongdoing · fall from grace · misjudgment · immorality · drifting · folly · prodigal son
- wanderingwandering, wander, wanderer, roaming, roam
- moral decaymoral decay, moral decline, moral collapse, moral bankruptcy, degeneration
moral/behavioral
going astraystaying true
Maintaining loyalty or integrity
keeping the faith · keeping faith · toeing the line · conforming · redemption