LookItUpderail
Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples
Pronunciation: US /dɪˈreɪl/
Forms: derailed
derail means: To stop a plan, discussion, or activity from continuing in the intended way.
verb
To stop a plan, discussion, or activity from continuing in the intended way.
- The argument derailed our meeting.
- Unexpected costs could derail the project.
- Please don't derail the discussion with personal complaints.
If a train leaves its tracks by accident, or something makes this happen, it comes off the rails.
- The train derailed near the station.
- A fallen tree could derail a train.
- Three carriages derailed, but nobody was hurt.
If a discussion or activity does this, it moves away from its planned subject or direction.
- The conversation soon derailed.
- Our meeting derailed into a debate about office rules.
- Whenever politics comes up, these discussions derail.
Questions about derail
What does derail mean?
To stop a plan, discussion, or activity from continuing in the intended way.
What is derail in other languages?
Türkçe: sekteye uğratmak · Español: hacer descarrilar · Français: faire dérailler · Deutsch: aus dem Ruder bringen · Italiano: far deragliare · 日本語: 頓挫させる
How do you pronounce derail?
It is pronounced /dɪˈreɪl/.
How do you use derail in a sentence?
The argument derailed our meeting. Unexpected costs could derail the project.
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