go rogue

English

Verb

go rogue (third-person singular simple present goes rogue, present participle going rogue, simple past went rogue, past participle gone rogue)

1. (intransitive, originally of sick elephants) To begin to behave in an erratic, uncontrolled, dangerous, destructive, or savage way.
2. (intransitive, idiomatic) To behave in a very unconventional, independent, uncontrolled, or unauthorized way that ignores rules, norms, or expectations.
   • 2024 August 2, Steven Erlanger, “Netanyahu, Defiant, Appears to Have Gone Rogue, Risking a Regional War”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     As the Biden administration and its allies try to secure an elusive cease-fire in Gaza, Israel appears to have gone rogue.

3. (intransitive, idiomatic) To switch allegiance to, affiliation with, or membership in, a country, political party, employer, club, etc. (for example, as a spy, soldier, politician, employee, club member, etc.).

Synonyms

• go crazy
• go wild
• run amok

Translations

behave in an erratic or uncontrolled way

• German: (ein wütender) Einzelgänger (de) (werden), ausflippen (de), ausrasten (de)

behave in a very unconventional or independent way

• German: auf eigene Faust (de) (handeln, entscheiden etc.), aus der Reihe tanzen (de), eigenmächtig (de) (handeln, entscheiden etc.), abtrünnig (de) (werden), (ein rebellischer) Einzelgänger (de) (werden)

switch allegiance, affiliation, or membership

• French: changer de camp, retourner sa veste (fr), trahir (fr)
• German: abtrünnig (de) (werden)