# zig when one should zag

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/zig-when-one-should-zag
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To misstep or err.

## Examples

- He zigged when he should have zagged and lost the game.
- The company zigged when it should have zagged, investing in outdated technology just as the market shifted.
- In the intricate dance of diplomacy, the ambassador zigged when she should have zagged, inadvertently offending a key ally and derailing months of careful negotiation.

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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.