ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go left

idiom
Meaning

To take a turn for the worse, to go horribly wrong.


Origin

disputed origin

Possibly an alteration of go wrong using an antonym of a different sense of the adjective right.

Examples
SIMPLE

The party started well, but then things went left.

CONTEXTUAL

We had a solid plan for the project, but everything went left when the main server crashed.

COMPLEX

Despite our careful preparations, the entire negotiation went left as soon as the opposing team introduced their unexpected demands.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all dressed up and nowhere to go

    Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.

  2. 02

    all systems go

    Everything is ready.

  3. 03

    as you go

    While one is doing (something); as one progresses.

  4. 04

    be left at the post

    To be beaten from the beginning of a competition or race.

  5. 05

    be left holding the baby

    To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.

  6. 06

    boldly go where no man has gone before

    To break new ground.

  7. 07

    come and go

    To repeatedly appear and disappear; to be transient.

  8. 08

    don't go there

    Do not broach that topic.

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