Derail Meaning in English
word
Definition
To cause a train or vehicle to come off its tracks, or to interrupt, spoil, or stop a plan, process, or event from continuing successfully.
Usage & Nuances
Originally refers to trains but often used metaphorically for failed plans or disruptions. Common phrases: 'derail a conversation/plan/progress.' More formal than 'mess up.' Usually implies an outside force causing the interruption.
Spanish: descarrilar - interrumpir (plan, proceso)Portuguese (BR): descarrilar - atrapalhar (plano, processo)Portuguese (PT): descarrilar - perturbar (plano, processo)Chinese (Simplified): 脱轨 - 妨碍（计划、进程）Chinese (Traditional): 脫軌 - 妨礙（計畫、進程）Hindi: पटरी से उतरना - विफल करना (योजना, प्रक्रिया)Arabic: يخرج عن مساره - يُفشل (خطة، عملية)Bengali: পথচ্যুত করা - ব্যাহত করাRussian: сойти с рельсов - сорвать (планы)Japanese: 脱線させる - 台無しにするVietnamese: trật bánh - làm chệch hướngKorean: 탈선시키다 - 방해하다Turkish: raydan çıkarmak - engellemekUrdu: پٹڑی سے اتارنا - ناکام بناناIndonesian: tergelincir - menggagalkan
Example Sentences
The scandal could easily derail his political career.
natural
The train derailed after hitting a fallen tree.
basic
A mistake could derail the project.
basic
Heavy rain can derail travel plans.
basic
Her sudden illness derailed our weekend plans.
natural
Let's not let one mistake derail the whole conversation.
natural