derail
derail
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "derail" is: dɪˈreɪl
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First syllable (di):
d: voiced alveolar stop
ɪ: short front vowel
Second syllable (rail):
r: alveolar approximant
eɪ: diphthong, starting as a mid-front vowel and moving towards a higher, more front position
l: alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
The word "derail" is primarily used as a verb, so it doesn't have plural or singular forms like nouns do. However, it does have different verb forms:
Base form: derail
Present participle: derailing
Past tense: derailed
Past participle: derailed
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Word Class: Verb
Definition: To cause (a train or other moving vehicle) to run off the tracks.
Synonyms: wreck, overturn, capsize
Antonyms: stabilize, secure
Definition: To cause (a plan or system) to fail.
Synonyms: disrupt, ruin, frustrate
Antonyms: facilitate, promote
Examples of Use
Literal Usage (Train Derailment)
News Article: "The high-speed train derailed, causing widespread disruption and injuries." (The New York Times)
Documentary: A documentary about railway accidents might show footage of a train derailing and discuss the causes and consequences.
Figurative Usage (Disruption of Plans)
Book: "Her carefully laid plans were derailed by a sudden job offer." (A novel by John Grisham)
Movie: In a thriller, a character's meticulously crafted revenge plot could be derailed by a surprise twist.
TV Show: A popular TV show might have a storyline where a character's life is derailed by a personal tragedy.
Figurative Usage (Mental or Emotional Disruption)
Self-Help Book: "Stress and anxiety can derail your progress towards your goals." (A book by Dale Carnegie)
Therapy Session: A therapist might use the word to describe how a traumatic event can derail someone's emotional well-being.
Social Media: A social media post might express frustration about how a negative experience derailed their day.
Figurative Usage (Disruption of a System or Process)
Business Article: "The company's new product launch was derailed by supply chain issues." (The Wall Street Journal)
Political Commentary: A political commentator might discuss how a scandal derailed a politician's career.
Scientific Journal: A research paper might discuss how a particular factor derailed a scientific experiment.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Derail
"The high-speed train derailed, causing widespread disruption and injuries." (The New York Times)
"Her carefully laid plans were derailed by a sudden job offer." (A novel by John Grisham)
"The company's new product launch was derailed by supply chain issues." (The Wall Street Journal)
"Stress and anxiety can derail your progress towards your goals." (A book by Dale Carnegie)
"A political commentator might discuss how a scandal derailed a politician's career."
"A research paper might discuss how a particular factor derailed a scientific experiment."
"The carefully laid plans of the villain were derailed by a sudden twist of fate." (A screenplay)
"The unexpected event threatened to derail the carefully orchestrated heist." (A novel)
"The unexpected challenge threatened to derail the team's progress towards their goal." (A sports commentary)
"The sudden change in circumstances threatened to derail the peace negotiations." (A news report)
Etymology
The word "derail" comes from the French word "dérailler," which means "to go off the rails." This makes sense, right? When a train derails, it literally comes off the tracks.
The first time we see the word "derail" in English was in the 1850s. Back then, it was used specifically to describe a train coming off its tracks. Over time, the word has grown to mean more than just trains. We now use it to talk about any plan or idea that goes wrong or is ruined.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Derail
While "derail" itself isn't commonly used in fixed phrases or idioms, we can explore phrases and idioms that use synonyms or related concepts to convey similar meanings:
To throw a wrench in the works: This means to disrupt a plan or process.
To throw a curveball: This means to introduce an unexpected element that changes the course of events.
To hit a snag: This means to encounter an unexpected obstacle or difficulty.
To go off the rails: This is a more direct synonym for "derail," meaning to lose control or become chaotic.
To fall apart at the seams: This means to collapse or fail completely.
These phrases and idioms capture the sense of disruption and failure that "derail" implies, even though they don't directly use the word itself.
Posts Related to Derail
Source Information
Definition of derail from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
