IdiomThe Absurd
English
Englishgo haywire
Meaning: To malfunction; to break down.
Example: “The printer went haywire and spat out forty blank pages.”
Origin: American English from the early 20th century. Thin wire used to bale hay was handy for makeshift repairs, but it tangled easily and sprang out of control when cut. "Haywire" came to describe flimsy, patched-up things and then anything gone wildly wrong.
More English idioms
- go it alone To travel some path or do some activity by oneself, often something dangerous or risky.
- go out on a limb To take a risk.
- go to the dogs To fall into disrepair; to deteriorate.
- go with the flow To take a relaxed attitude towards life.
- golden age A time when something is at its best.
- good grief! An expletive that means "This is ridiculous!" or "I've had enough!".
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Você é um amor You're a sweetheart — warm, caring, and impossible not to like.
- Você tem muita garra You have fierce, relentless determination — you claw your way through any obstacle.
- Ты умница (ty umnitsa) You're bright, clever, and admirable — said warmly of someone who handles things well.
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