derail
v.v. to stop a plan or process from working correctly. It can also mean when a train accidentally comes off its tracks.
v. to obstruct the progress of a plan, project, or process; to cause a train to leave its tracks. Transitive when referring to plans; can be transitive or intransitive in the literal railway sense.
A small mistake could derail the whole project.
The sudden resignation of the lead architect threatened to derail the construction schedule for the new hospital wing.
While the literal sense involves a train leaving its rails, the term is more frequently used to describe how unforeseen political scandals can derail even the most carefully managed legislative agendas.
From French dérailler (“to go off the rails”). Analyzable as de- + rail.
The verb is transitive when used figuratively to mean 'to ruin a plan'.
The scandal derailed from the campaignThe scandal derailed the campaignWhen used figuratively to mean 'to ruin', the verb is transitive and should not be followed by 'from'.
- Verbderail
- Nounderailment