off the rails - Definition & Meaning

off the rails

used to say that someone is behaving in a way that is wild, irrational, or unconventional

The idiom "off the rails" originated from the literal sense of a train going off its tracks or derailing in the early 20th century. It is now used to describe someone or something that is behaving in a wild, irrational, or unconventional manner, often deviating from the expected or socially acceptable path. It implies a loss of control, direction, or adherence to norms, suggesting a departure from the usual or expected course of action.

He had always been a top student, but he went off the rails in college and started partying all the time.
She came off the rails after her divorce, going on spending sprees and neglecting her health.
He strayed off the rails due to his substance abuse problem.
By the end of the party, Tom was off the rails, dancing on the table and spilling drinks everywhere.
After getting fired, John was off the rails, lashing out at his former boss and coworkers.

used to say that something is out of control or unpredictable

The origin of the idiom "off the rails" can be traced back to the literal sense of train travel. When a train derails, it veers off its tracks and loses its intended path, resulting in chaos and unpredictability. The figurative use of the phrase likely emerged from this literal meaning, with "off the rails" coming to symbolize situations or events that have deviated from their expected or planned course, becoming disordered, chaotic, or uncontrollable.

Ever since their CEO resigned, the company has gone off the rails, with plummeting stock prices and massive layoffs.
His behavior started to veer off the rails after he lost his job.
The company's finances have gone off the rails since the economic downturn.
The political situation has gone off the rails since the election.
The stock market was off the rails last week, with wild fluctuations and unpredictable changes.

use to say that a train or vehicle has physically left the tracks or rails it is supposed to follow

The train went off the rails due to a broken track, causing a derailment.
The speeding car lost control and ended up off the rails, crashing into a ditch.
Engineers worked tirelessly to prevent the tram from going off the rails during the heavy snowstorm.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene after hearing that a passenger train was off the rails, causing a major railway disruption.
The speeding locomotive ran off the rails when it encountered a sudden obstacle on the track.

used to say that something is not following the planned or expected course

The idiom "off the rails" originates from the literal image of a train derailing or leaving the tracks, which results in chaos and deviation from its intended course. Over time, this literal meaning has been extended to figurative contexts to describe situations or events that have veered off course or become disordered.

The conversation went off the rails when the topic shifted to politics.
The project has run off the rails and is now behind schedule.
The negotiation went off the rails when one side walked out.
The politician's campaign was expected to be a smooth ride, but it's been plagued by scandals and is now off the rails.

used to say that something is extreme or exciting

The origin of the idiom "off the rails" in the context of extreme or exciting behavior is less clear than its literal meaning of a train derailing. This usage likely developed through metaphorical extension, as "off the rails" originally referred to a train departing from its tracks and then came to represent a departure from expected or controlled behavior. Over time, this evolved to include situations or actions perceived as wild, unconventional, or thrilling.

The new roller coaster at the amusement park is off the rails!
The concert last night was off the rails!
The party ran off the rails, with guests dancing, drinking, and laughing all night long.
The band's performance went off the rails when they started playing their hit song, and the crowd went wild.
The artist's latest series of paintings went off the rails with their vibrant colors and abstract shapes.