verb
- to cause a train to leave the tracks
- to cause something to fail or go off course
Usage: figurative
Examples
- The fallen tree derailed the freight train.
- Heavy rains caused the locomotive to derail near the bridge.
- The scandal threatened to derail his political career.
- Budget cuts could derail the construction project.
- She refused to let criticism derail her plans.
- The unexpected news derailed our meeting agenda.
- Poor planning derailed the company’s expansion efforts.