train wreck
Originally referring to the aftermath of a literal train accident, 'train wreck' is now commonly used to describe chaotic or disastrous situations and people.
Definition
B2General
(literal)The aftermath of a collision or derailment involving a train, resulting in significant damage.
Example
- The train wreck caused major delays on the railway line.
B2General
(figurative)A situation that is chaotic, disastrous, and often publicly visible.
Example
- The event turned into a train wreck after the power outage.
B2Personal
(idiomatic, informal)A person who is experiencing severe personal or professional difficulties, often to the point of being unable to function effectively.
Example
- Ever since the breakup, she's been a train wreck.
C1Music
(technical)A situation in which musicians in an ensemble are not playing together harmoniously, causing a chaotic performance.
Example
- The concert was a train wreck because the band members were out of sync.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "train wreck":
shit showhot messcar crashdumpster fireoff the railsghost trainpile up