awry
UK: əˈraɪ | US: əˈraɪ
adj. / adv. 1. away from the correct or expected course; amiss
adj. / adv. 2. in a twisted or crooked position
The word "awry" originates from Middle English, combining the prefix "a-" (meaning "on" or "in," derived from Old English) with "wry" (meaning "twisted" or "crooked," from Old English "wrīgian"). The term originally described physical distortion ("twisted aside") and later evolved metaphorically to describe things going off course or amiss. The logic is vivid: just as a bent object deviates from straightness, plans or actions "go awry" when they stray from their intended path.
The picture hung awry after the bumpy move.
Her plans went awry when the train was delayed.
He looked at her, his mouth set in a wry, almost awry smile.
The arrow flew awry and missed the target entirely.
If your calculations are awry, the experiment will fail.