01
schieflaufen
to go wrong
To not proceed as planned or desired; to fail or go badly.
example
Bei der Organisation der Feier ist leider einiges schiefgelaufen.
Unfortunately, quite a few things went wrong with organizing the party.
schieflaufen
to go wrong
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb consists of 'schief' (crooked, askew) and 'laufen' (to run, to go). Literally, it therefore means 'schief laufen' (to run/go crookedly). This figurative origin helps you remember the meaning 'misslingen' (to fail/go badly) or 'fehlschlagen' (to fail).
EXAMPLE
Ich hoffe, bei meiner Prüfung läuft nichts schief.
I hope nothing goes wrong in my exam.
Separable verb
'Schieflaufen' (to go wrong) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'schief' stands at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Bei unserem Experiment lief etwas schief.
Something went wrong with our experiment.
Auxiliary verb in the perfect tense
The perfect tense of 'schieflaufen' (to go wrong) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), since it is derived from 'laufen' (a verb of movement). So the correct form is 'es ist schiefgelaufen' (it went wrong).
EXAMPLE
Leider ist bei der Buchung etwas schiefgelaufen.
Unfortunately, something went wrong with the booking.
Typical use
The verb is very often used impersonally or with indefinite subjects such as 'etwas' (something), 'nichts' (nothing), or 'alles' (everything).
EXAMPLE
Was kann schon schieflaufen?
What could possibly go wrong?
Compare with
schieflaufen vs klappen
to work / to fold
'klappen' and 'schieflaufen' both describe how a plan or situation ends. 'klappen' means that something succeeds and works as desired. 'schieflaufen' means the opposite: something does not go as planned or fails. Learners may confuse the words because both are often used with plans, appointments, or organization. The simple guideline is: if the result is good, it klappt. If something goes wrong or problems arise, it läuft schief.
schieflaufen
Bei der Bestellung ist einiges schiefgelaufen.
Quite a few things went wrong with the order.
klappen
Nach mehreren Anrufen hat der Termin endlich geklappt.
After several phone calls, the appointment finally worked out.
In real life
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