# sideways

/ˈsaɪdˌweɪz/ (US) · /sˈaɪdweɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sideways
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. toward the side

adverb · CEFR B1

moving or looking toward one side instead of forward or backward.

For teachers: directed toward or moving in a lateral direction.

- The crab scurried sideways across the sand to reach the water.
- The car skidded sideways on the icy patch, narrowly missing the barrier before the driver regained control.

### 2. with the side facing forward

adverb · CEFR B2

positioned so that the side of something is facing the front.

For teachers: oriented with a side toward the front or toward the viewer.

- You have to turn the sofa sideways to get it through the narrow door.
- The portrait depicts the subject sitting sideways, looking over her shoulder toward the artist with a faint smile.

### 3. going wrong

adverb · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

when a situation or plan starts to fail or become a problem.

For teachers: progressing in an unintended or negative direction; failing to achieve the desired outcome.

- The party went sideways when the music stopped and people started arguing.
- The negotiations went sideways after the lead consultant made a series of inflammatory remarks regarding the budget.

Teaching tip: This figurative use is very common in American business and social contexts to describe a plan falling apart.

### 4. lateral

adjective · CEFR B2

moving or pointing toward the side.

For teachers: relating to or moving toward the side; lateral in orientation.

- He gave her a sideways glance to see if she was joking.
- The architect suggested a sideways extension to the property to avoid encroaching on the protected garden space.

## Examples

- The car moved sideways into the parking space.
- He glanced sideways at his colleague to check if she agreed with his comment.
- The ship drifted sideways across the current, its engines struggling to maintain a straight course against the strong tide.

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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.