be off the rails

be off the rails

1. To be in a state of chaos, dysfunction, or disorder. Our project has been off the rails ever since the manager up and quit last month.
2. To be crazy, eccentric, or mentally unhinged. I think you should cut back on your drinking—you were totally off the rails last night!
See also: off, rail
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

off the rails

In an abnormal or malfunctioning condition, as in Her political campaign has been off the rails for months. The phrase occurs commonly with go, as in Once the superintendent resigned, the effort to reform the school system went off the rails . This idiom alludes to the rails on which trains run; if a train goes off the rails, it stops or crashes. [Mid-1800s]
See also: off, rail
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • off the rails
  • go off the rails
  • a hot mess
  • crazy like a fox
  • get back on the rails
  • nut up
  • plumb crazy
  • crazy in the head
  • (as) crazy as a bedbug
  • crazy as a bedbug