Awry

Adjective

Definition: Characterized by being twisted, crooked, or distorted; often used to describe a situation or plan that has gone wrong or is not working as intended.

Synonyms: Askew, Crooked, Twisted, Skewed

Antonyms: Straight, Aligned, Accurate

Examples:

Her haircut turned out awry, with uneven lengths and angles.
The plan went awry when half of the team didn't show up.

Mnemonics:

"Awry" sounds like "a wry," which can remind you of something being twisted or crooked.
Think of a situation or plan going "awry" as if it got caught in a tangle or turned in the wrong direction.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "awry" originated from Middle English in the 14th century from the phrase "on wry," which meant "turned to one side" or "askew."

Historical Usage:

The word has retained its original meaning throughout history, denoting things that are twisted or crooked. It gradually gained metaphorical use to describe situations or plans that have gone wrong.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Go awry"

Explanation:

This phrase means to go wrong or not turn out as expected. It implies a deviation from the intended course or outcome.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "awry" with "a while."

Explanation:

While the words may sound similar, "awry" means twisted or distorted, while "a while" refers to a period of time. It's important to differentiate between the meanings to avoid confusion.