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wander off course

[/ˈwɑːndər ɔːf kɔːrs/]
verb phrase
desviar-se do caminho
1. To deviate from the planned or intended route or direction
The hiking group began to wander off course when they ignored the marked trail.
O grupo de caminhada começou a desviar-se do caminho quando ignorou a trilha marcada.
2. To lose focus or direction from one's intended goals or plans
His thoughts wandered off course during the important meeting.
Seus pensamentos desviaram-se do curso durante a reunião importante.
3. To move aimlessly away from a specific location or purpose
The child wandered off course in the mall and got lost.
A criança desviou-se do caminho no shopping e se perdeu.
NYC Slang
lose the plot
Synonyms
deviatestraydrift offgo astraylose one's wayveer off
Antonyms
stay on coursestick to the pathmaintain directionfollow the route

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desviar-se do caminho
Most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
sair da rota
Alternative expression commonly used
Rio de Janeiro
perder o rumo
Colloquial expression for losing direction
Portugal
desviar-se da rota
More formal usage in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

go off the rails
lose one's bearings
stray from the beaten path
lose sight of
get sidetracked
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