derail
verb (used with object)
to cause (a train, streetcar, etc.) to run off the rails of a track.
were derailing
-
past progressiveof derail.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Midway through this season, though, it looked like things were derailing for Palace.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
“My first thought was that we were derailing because, to be honest, I have anxiety and I had heard stories about trains derailing,” Ms. Vandervest said.
From New York Times ● Sep. 25, 2021
