ENGLISH
REFERENCE

come unstuck

idiom
Meaning

To get into trouble, to have an accident or mishap, to go off the rails.


Examples
SIMPLE

His plan came unstuck when he forgot his keys.

CONTEXTUAL

The project came unstuck after the team lost their main source of funding halfway through the year.

COMPLEX

Despite his meticulous preparation, the politician's campaign came unstuck when a long-forgotten scandal surfaced in the national press.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  4. 04

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  5. 05

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  6. 06

    come a cropper

    To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.

  7. 07

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  8. 08

    come again

    A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.

Last updated April 17, 2026