Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

go wrong

idiom

Definition of go wrong

1 : to happen or proceed in a way that causes a bad result
  • We have to figure out what went wrong with the experiment.
  • Everything is going wrong for me today.
  • When she didn't come back, we feared that something had gone horribly wrong.
2 : to make a mistake
  • I followed the instructions to the letter and the computer still doesn't work. Where did I go wrong?
  • "I don't know what to order." "Their clam chowder is good. You can't go wrong with there."

Word by Word Definitions

go play

  1. : to move on a course : proceed — compare stop

  2. : to move out of or away from a place expressed or implied : leave, depart

  3. : to take a certain course or follow a certain procedure

  1. : the act or manner of going

  2. : the height of fashion : rage

  3. : an often unexpected turn of affairs : occurrence

  1. : functioning properly : being in good and ready condition

  1. : a game played between two players who alternately place black and white stones on a board checkered by 19 vertical lines and 19 horizontal lines in an attempt to enclose the larger area on the board

See the full definition of go
wrong play

  1. : an injurious, unfair, or unjust act : action or conduct inflicting harm without due provocation or just cause

  2. : a violation or invasion of the legal rights of another

  3. : something wrong, immoral, or unethical

  1. : not according to the moral standard : sinful, immoral

  2. : not right or proper according to a code, standard, or convention : improper

  3. : not according to truth or facts : incorrect

  1. : without accuracy : incorrectly

  2. : without regard for what is proper or just

  3. : in a wrong direction

  1. : to do wrong to : injure, harm

  2. : to treat disrespectfully or dishonorably : violate

  3. : defraud

See the full definition of wrong

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up go wrong? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games