haywire
word
Definition
If something goes haywire, it becomes out of control or starts working incorrectly. It is often used to describe machines, systems, or situations that suddenly stop functioning properly.
Usage & Nuances
"Haywire" is informal and mostly used in spoken English. It often appears with "go" as in "go haywire." Used for things, not people. Common with electronics, plans, or situations. Avoid in very formal writing.
Spanish: fuera de control - descontroladoPortuguese (BR): descontrolado - fora de controlePortuguese (PT): descontrolado - fora de controloChinese (Simplified): 失控 - 乱七八糟Chinese (Traditional): 失控 - 亂七八糟Hindi: बेकाबू - नियंत्रण से बाहरArabic: خارج عن السيطرة - فوضويBengali: গড়বড় - অস্বাভাবিকভাবে কাজ করাRussian: сойти с ума (о технике) - выйти из строяJapanese: おかしくなる - 故障するVietnamese: trục trặc - hỏng hócKorean: 엉망이 되다 - 고장이 나다Turkish: çığırından çıkmak - kontrolden çıkmakUrdu: خراب ہو جانا - بے قابو ہو جاناIndonesian: berantakan - ngaco
Example Sentences
My computer went haywire and froze.
basic
The light started flickering and then went haywire.
basic
Our plans went haywire when it started to rain.
basic
Everything went haywire after the power outage.
natural
The software update made my phone go haywire.
natural
Sorry I'm late; my alarm clock went haywire this morning.
natural