Have you ever experienced an unanticipated circumstance? It’s never fun when things go wrong, but sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to express how you feel. That’s where slang comes in!
Slang is a type of informal language that can be used to describe situations like these more colorfully and creatively. So, when things go wrong, here are 10 slang terms you can use to express your frustration, anger, or disappointment.
So Get ready to navigate the twists and turns of life’s mishaps with style and flair!
10 Slangs for When Things go Wrong
- ‘It’s gone pear-shaped’
- ‘Well, that’s a bummer.’
- ‘Total trainwreck, mate.’
- ‘Things just went south.’
- ‘You’ve hit a rough patch.’
- ‘All went down the drain.’
- ‘It’s a hot mess express.’
- We’re in a pickle now.’
- ‘The wheels fell off.’
- That plan went sideways.’
‘It’s gone pear-shaped’
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‘When things go wrong, ‘it’s gone pear-shaped‘ is a slang phrase often used to describe a situation that has taken an unexpected turn for the worse. Originating from Cockney rhyming slang, this expression refers to the distorted shape of a pear when it is bruised or damaged.
For example
- ‘Hey Mark, how was the party last night?’
- ‘Oh, it was a disaster! The music was too loud, and then the DJ canceled. It’s gone pear-shaped!’
In this conversation, Mark uses the slang phrase ‘it’s gone pear-shaped’ to tell the unexpected and negative turn of events at the party.
The phrase adds a touch of humor to the conversation while effectively describing the unfortunate circumstances. It’s a versatile slang phrase that can be used to describe various situations that don’t go as planned.’
‘Well, that’s a bummer.’
‘Well, that’s a bummer’ is a slang phrase commonly used to express disappointment or frustration when something goes wrong. It conveys a sense of resignation or acceptance of an unfavorable situation.
For example
- ‘Hey Mike, did you hear about the project? It didn’t get approved.’
- ‘Seriously? Well, that’s a bummer.’
In this dialogue, the phrase ‘Well, that’s a bummer’ is used by Mike to express his disappointment and acknowledge the unfortunate outcome of the project.
It adds a casual and relatable tone to the conversation, allowing both individuals to empathize with each other’s feelings of disappointment. The phrase succinctly captures the negative sentiment of the situation without being overly dramatic.
‘Total trainwreck, mate.’
‘Total trainwreck, mate’ is a slang phrase used to describe a situation that has gone completely and disastrously wrong. The term ‘trainwreck’ refers to a catastrophic event, and when combined with ‘mate,’ it adds a friendly and casual tone to the phrase.
For example
- ‘Hey Sarah, how did the presentation go?’
- ‘Oh, it was a total trainwreck, mate. The slides weren’t working, and we forgot our main points.’
In this chat, Sarah uses the slang phrase ‘total trainwreck, mate’ to express the magnitude of the failure and the chaotic nature of the presentation.
The phrase captures the sense of frustration and disappointment concisely and informally, allowing for a lighthearted acknowledgment of the unfortunate situation.’
‘Things just went south.’
‘Things just went south’ is a slang phrase commonly used to describe a situation that has taken a turn for the worse or has become unfavorable. It conveys the idea that things have gone downhill or become problematic.
For example
- ‘Hey Jack, how did the vacation planning go?’
- ‘Well, things just went south. The hotel we wanted was fully booked, and the flights got canceled.’
In this interaction, Jack uses the slang phrase ‘things just went south’ to convey the negative turn of events regarding vacation planning.
The phrase effectively captures disappointment and frustration in a straightforward and relatable manner. It highlights the undesired outcome without dwelling on the specifics, allowing for further discussion or problem-solving.
‘You’ve hit a rough patch.’
‘You’ve hit a rough patch’ is a slang term used to describe a period of misfortune or difficulty. It implies that someone is going through a challenging time in their life.
For example
- ‘Hey Linda, how are things going?’
- ‘Not so great, to be honest. I’ve hit a rough patch recently. ‘
During this discussion, Linda used the slang term ‘hit a rough patch’ to show that they are facing multiple problems and experiencing a series of unfortunate events.
It adds a touch of informal language to their conversation, helping them express their frustration or disappointment. When things go wrong, using this slang can capture the essence of a difficult situation, allowing people to connect and empathize with each other.
‘All went down the drain.’
‘All went down the drain’ is a slang phrase used when everything goes wrong or fails miserably. It implies that all efforts or plans have been wasted or have been rendered useless.
For example
- ‘How did the family gathering go last night, Elsa?’
- ‘Oh, it wasn’t good! I spent hours preparing the food, but then the power went out, and the oven malfunctioned. All went down the drain!’
During this interaction, Elsa used the slang phrase ‘all went down the drain’ to show the frustration and disappointment of their failed attempt at hosting a successful gathering.
The phrase captures the idea that everything they had planned and worked for ended up being a complete failure. When things go wrong, using this slang can add a touch of emphasis to the situation and help express the magnitude of the disappointment or setback.
‘It’s a hot mess express.’
‘It’s a hot mess express’ is a slang phrase used to describe a situation that is chaotic, disorganized, and completely out of control. It signifies that everything has gone wrong and there is little hope of salvaging the situation
For example
- ‘How was the presentation, Gabriel?’
- ‘Oh my goodness, it was an absolute disaster!’
In this chat, Gabriel uses the slang phrase ‘hot mess express’ to convey the overwhelming chaos and frustration of the failed presentation.
The phrase adds a vivid and descriptive element to their conversation, emphasizing the extent of the problems encountered. When things go wrong, using this slang can capture the intensity of the situation, making it clear that everything is in a state of complete disarray.
‘We’re in a pickle now.’
‘We’re in a pickle now’ is a slang phrase used to describe a situation where things have taken a turn for the worse and there is no easy solution or way out. It implies being in a difficult or problematic situation that is hard to escape from.
For example
- ‘What happened with your travel plans, Emma?’
- ‘Well, we missed our flight, our hotel reservation got canceled, no place to stay. We’re in a pickle now.’
In this interaction, Emma uses the slang phrase ‘we’re in a pickle now’ to showcase the sense of being trapped or in a difficult situation due to their travel mishaps.
The phrase adds a touch of humor and informality to their conversation, highlighting the unexpected challenges they are facing.
When things go wrong, using this slang can capture the frustration and helplessness of the situation, allowing people to commiserate with each other.
‘The wheels fell off.’
‘The wheels fell off’ is a slang phrase used to depict a situation where everything has gone wrong or fallen apart. It implies that a plan or project has encountered numerous setbacks or failures, leading to a state of disarray or chaos.
For example
- ‘How did your renovation project go, Sonia?’
- ‘Oh, it was a disaster! The contractor didn’t show up, the materials were delayed, and then we discovered structural issues in the house. The wheels fell off!’
In this dialogue, Sonia uses the slang phrase ‘the wheels fell off’ to express the magnitude of the problems encountered during their renovation project.
It conveys a sense of frustration and disappointment, highlighting the extent to which the project veered off track. When things go wrong, using this slang phrase can effectively communicate the level of disruption and setback experienced.
‘That plan went sideways.’
‘That plan went sideways‘ is a slang phrase used to describe a situation where a well-intentioned or carefully thought-out plan goes completely awry or off track.
It implies that the plan has veered off course, resulting in unexpected complications or failures. When things go wrong, using this slang phrase can show a sense of surprise or frustration, emphasizing the unexpected turn of events.
For example
- ‘How did your presentation to the client go, John ?’
- ‘Oh man, it was a disaster! The client didn’t like our proposal at all, and then the projector started malfunctioning in the middle of the presentation. That plan went sideways!’
During this conversation, John used the slang phrase ‘that plan went sideways’ to describe the unexpected and unfavorable outcome of their presentation.
The phrase captures the frustration and disappointment of their failed plan, highlighting the complete departure from what was originally intended.
Lastly
I’d like to end with a bit of wisdom. As the old saying goes, ‘When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.’ And that’s true for when things go wrong, too.
Sure, it can be frustrating and upsetting when things don’t go as planned, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the best of the situation.
So next time something goes wrong, try using one of these 10 slang terms to express your frustration. And then, remember to ‘make lemonade’ and find the positives in the situation. How much better you’ll feel will surprise you!