gang (redirected from gangs agley)

best-laid plans of mice and men oft(en) go astray, and best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley.

Prov. Things often go wrong even though you have carefully planned what you are going to do. (The gang aft a-gley version is Scots dialect, and comes from Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse.") Jill: I reserved a hotel room for us three weeks ago, but now the clerk says he has no record of our reservation. So much for our fun weekend in the city. Jane: Well, these things happen. The best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. I had all the arrangements made for my party, and then the guest of honor got sick and I had to call the whole thing off. The best-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft a-gley. If a little rain can ruin the best-laid plans of mice and men, think what an earthquake might do!

See also: and, astray, men, mice, plan

gang up (on someone)

to form into a group and attack someone. (Usually a physical attack, but it can also be a verbal attack.) We can't win against the robber unless we gang up on him. All right, you guys, don't gang up on me. Play fair!

See also: up

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gang up on somebody

to unite as a group against someone It seemed like my creditors were ganging up on me.

See also: up