Derail - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Derail means to cause something, like a train or a plan, to go off track or fail. It can also refer to distracting someone from their main focus or purpose.
Definition:
To cause a train to leave its tracks, or to disrupt progress or plans.
Synonyms:
disrupt, hinder, thwart, sabotage
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
advance, facilitate
Common Collocations:
derail a train, derail negotiations, derail a project
Derivatives:
derailment, derailed
Usage Tips:
Use "derail" for sudden disruptions, especially in plans or transportation contexts. Avoid overuse in informal settings.
Common Phrases:
derail the conversation, go off the rails, derail someone's plans
Etymology:
From French "dérailler," meaning "to leave the rails," combining "de-" (off) and "rail."
Examples:
- 1. The train derailed after hitting debris on the tracks.
- 2. His careless comment could derail the entire meeting.
- 3. Bad weather often derails construction projects unexpectedly.
- 4. She refused to let setbacks derail her ambitions.