go rogue
The phrase "go rogue" originally described elephants that became violent when separated from their herd, and now it broadly applies to erratic or independent human behavior.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)To act independently and unpredictably, often ignoring rules or norms.
Example
- The software update caused the device to go rogue, leading to unexpected behavior.
- The agent decided to go rogue and pursue the mission on their own terms.
C1Organizational
(idiomatic)To deviate from the planned or expected course of action, usually in an unapproved or unconventional manner.
Example
- The politician went rogue by voting against the party line.
- The employee went rogue, ignoring company protocols to complete the project.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "go rogue":
go off the reservationrun riotrogue elephantbreak ranksrun wildgo awrygo wildrob outgo astraygo darkjump shipgo overboardbreak awaywild outoff the railsrun off ongo badgo madfly the coopgo wronggo bonkerscut loosego offgo nucleargo ballistic