off the rails
Completely out of control
Off the rails describes something that has gone wrong, become uncontrolled, or deviated from its proper course.
The image is of a train leaving its tracks—once derailed, movement becomes chaotic and dangerous.
A person goes off the rails when they behave erratically or self-destructively: He went off the rails after the divorce.
A project goes off the rails when it loses direction or falls apart.
Not domesticated or controlled
- out of controlUnable to be restrained
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- unrestrainedNot held back
- unbridledWithout any restraint
runaway · careening · unchecked · loose cannon · unpredictable · erratic · impulsive · dangerous
Unable to be restrained
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
disaster · catastrophe · shambles · mess · fiasco · debacle · turmoil · madness
Mentally unhinged
- insaneSeverely mentally disturbed
- unhingedMentally or emotionally unstable
- mentalOf the mind
- bonkersWildly irrational, unhinged
lost it · snapped · cracked · unraveled · breakdown · manic · erratic · unstable
Suddenly failed or slept
- broken downNo longer operational
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- system failureComplete breakdown of operations
- glitchMinor system fault
dysfunction · collapse · breakdown · meltdown · imploded · train wreck · spiraled · unraveling
Openly resisting control
- rogueDishonest or uncontrolled agent
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- mutinousDisposed to revolt
- gone rogueAbandoned loyalty or protocol
bucking the system · nonconformist · rebellious · dissenting · subversive · disobedient · uncooperative · resisting
wild
Not domesticated or controlled
- out of controlUnable to be restrained
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- unrestrainedNot held back
unbridled · runaway · careening · unchecked · loose cannon · unpredictable · erratic · impulsive · dangerous · volatile
out of control
Unable to be restrained
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- bedlamState of wild disorder
havoc · disaster · catastrophe · shambles · mess · fiasco · debacle · turmoil · madness · all hell broke loose
crazy
Mentally unhinged
bonkers · lost it · snapped · cracked · unraveled · breakdown · manic · erratic · unstable · freaked out
crashed
Suddenly failed or slept
- broken downNo longer operational
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- system failureComplete breakdown of operations
glitch · dysfunction · collapse · breakdown · meltdown · imploded · train wreck · spiraled · unraveling · disintegration
defiant
Openly resisting control
- rogueDishonest or uncontrolled agent
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- mutinousDisposed to revolt
gone rogue · bucking the system · nonconformist · rebellious · dissenting · subversive · disobedient · uncooperative · resisting · against the grain
- chaosmayhem, chaotic, pandemonium, bedlam, turmoil
- chaos idiomsall hell breaks loose, pandemonium, madhouse, circus, bedlam
- lost controllost control, lost it, snapped, went crazy, went nuts
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- out of controlwild, chaotic, unruly, unchecked, runaway
- insanityinsane, crazy, mad, lunatic, insanity
off the railson track
Progressing as intended
under control · stable · in order · on an even keel · orderly
off the railssane
Mentally healthy, clearheaded
level-headed · well-adjusted · balanced · stable · composed
off the railson track
Progressing as intended
on schedule · on target · according to plan · on course · on point
rail, railing, railway, rails, derail, railroads, derailed, railcar, railed