WENT ASTRAY Meaning and
Definition
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"Went astray" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a deviation or departure from the intended path, goal, or desirable course of action. The phrase often implies that someone or something has become lost, misplaced, or has taken a wrong turn in their journey or decision-making process.
In a literal sense, "went astray" could describe a situation where an individual physically loses their way or becomes disoriented, leading them to wander off the correct path or destination. This could occur in a literal journey, such as getting lost in an unfamiliar location, or metaphorically, like losing focus or direction in life.
However, the phrase is more commonly used in a figurative context. It can describe instances where someone or something has veered off the morally or socially acceptable path. For example, a person may "go astray" by engaging in unethical behavior, breaking the law, or betraying the trust of others.
"Going astray" can also refer to making mistakes or errors in judgment, leading to undesirable outcomes or unexpected consequences. It implies a deviation from the planned or anticipated result, indicating a lack of alignment with the intended purpose or desired outcome.
Overall, "went astray" suggests a departure from what is considered right, appropriate, or expected, highlighting a deviation from the intended path, moral compass, or desired course of action.
Common Misspellings for WENT ASTRAY
- qent astray
- aent astray
- sent astray
- eent astray
- 3ent astray
- 2ent astray
- wwnt astray
- wsnt astray
- wdnt astray
- wrnt astray
- w4nt astray
- w3nt astray
- webt astray
- wemt astray
- wejt astray
- weht astray
- wenr astray
- wenf astray
- weng astray
- weny astray
Etymology of WENT ASTRAY
The word "went astray" can be broken down into two parts for etymological analysis: "went" and "astray".
1. "Went":
The word "went" is the past tense of the verb "go". Its etymology can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as "went" or "wendan". This Old English form originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*wandijaną", which meant "to proceed, to move forward". The Proto-Germanic word, in turn, can be linked to the Proto-Indo-European root "*wendʰ-" or "*weǵʰ-", meaning "to withdraw, turn, or change".
2. "Astray":
The word "astray" is an adverb derived from the adjective "astray".
