# go left

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/go-left
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The party started well, but then things went left.
- We had a solid plan for the project, but everything went left when the main server crashed.
- Despite our careful preparations, the entire negotiation went left as soon as the opposing team introduced their unexpected demands.

## Origin

The expression is possibly an alteration of the phrase to go wrong, constructed by substituting an antonym for the adjective right. It relies on the linguistic relationship between the two terms, though the specific origin of this substitution remains unproven. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.