Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

off the rails

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.79 in modern English

Syllables: of-f the rails
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

prep_phrase

In an abnormal manner, especially in a manner that causes damage or malfunctioning.

prep_phrase

prep_phrase

Off the intended path.

prep_phrase

Out of control.

prep_phrase

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see off, rail.

Example Sentences

"... but the plan came off the rails when infuriated Communists called it "ideological provocation" and warned against "kindling political confrontation"
""The DfT appears to have put things on a firmer footing, but the path is littered with cautionary tales of transport projects that later went off the rails."
"I reckon it's pretty astonishing that none of us did go off the rails. There really was no telling how any of us would deal with the pressures and the fame."
"The train did not come off the rails and nobody was injured."

Etymology

Suggesting the derailment of a locomotive.

Questions

What does off the rails mean?: In an abnormal manner, especially in a manner that causes damage or malfunctioning.
Where does off the rails come from?: Suggesting the derailment of a locomotive.

How to pronounce off the rails

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “off the rails”.
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