agley

or a·gly

[ uh-glee, uh-gley, uh-glahy ]

adverb

, Chiefly Scot.

1. off the right line; awry; wrong.

agley

/ əˈɡliː; əˈɡliː; əˈɡleɪ; əˈɡlaɪ /

adverb

1. awry; askew

Word History and Origins

Origin of agley¹

1775–85; a- ¹ + gley glee ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of agley¹

from gley squint

Example Sentences

What a joy it is in a vexatious world, where things 'gang aft agley,' to find something absolutely right.

From Project Gutenberg

Burns tells us that “the well-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley.”

From Project Gutenberg

He didn't intend that any strange girl should throw all his plans agley, for she had done more than mischief enough already.

From Project Gutenberg

But, like the plans of the little field mouse of whom Robert Burns wrote, the best laid schemes "gang aft agley."

From Project Gutenberg

But "The best-laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft agley," as the priest-governed schemers may find to their cost.

From Project Gutenberg