zag

(one) zigged when (one) should have zagged

1. One moved in a particular direction but should have moved in a different direction in order to avoid some obstacle or impediment. A reference to moving from side to side in a zigzag pattern. A: "The running back had the chance to break away for a touchdown, but he was brought down by the other team's linebacker in a bone-crunching tackle." B: "Yep, looks like he zigged when he should have zagged." I nearly beat the final boss of the game, but I zigged when I should have zagged at the very last moment and he ended up killing me.
2. By extension, one acted in a way that resulted in a worse outcome than if they had done something different. Everyone assumed that it was an open-and-shut case, but the prosecution's controversial decision not to question the company's CEO is leaving many wondering if they zigged when they should have zagged. He really should have won the election, but he zigged when he should have zagged by focusing so much of his campaign on taxes instead of attacking his opponent's political policies.
See also: have, should, zag, zig
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

zigged when one should've zagged

perfomed one deed when another deed would have been better; to do something inconsequentially different from another thing. I don't know why she complained. I guess I zigged when I should have zagged.
See also: one, zag, zig
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

zagged

mod. alcohol intoxicated. How can anybody get so zagged on three beers?
See also: zag
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • (one) zigged when (one) should have zagged
  • zagged
  • zig
  • zigged when one should've zagged
  • go in the right direction
  • sway (from) side to side
  • sway from side to side
  • sway to and fro
  • sway back and forth
  • backward(s) and forward(s)
References in periodicals archive
Serum ZAG levels were determined by commercially available human zincalpha2-glycoprotein ELISA kits according to the manufacturer's instruction (Cloud-Clone Corp, Houston, USA).
Serum ZAG Levels Were Associated with eGFR Mild Decrease in T2DM Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy
Quality ingredients, fine meat, home-made pasta, seafood and tempting desserts will all be available at the Zig Zag Brasserie & Bar.
Radisson Blu Grand Hotel opens Zig Zag Brasserie and Bar in Sofia
"Most awards shows claim to be international but seem quite satisfied by filling most of the jury seats from in and around their regions,"said Zag."To me, New York Festivals has always stood out for not taking the easy route.Also, in the past few years, they've upped the ante with the quality of their judges and the clear mandate given to them.
Zag named as juror for New York Festivals
“Zig Zag are fast growing, independent British TV producer with some fantastic new shows and formats in development,” said Justin Crosby, founder of Boom!
Zig Zag Appoints Boom!
The zig gag man With the big zag pan Felt the gig bag can Hit the rig
The Zig Zag Man
China bans the Tibetan Zag from events under rules which prevent the display of flags of countries not competing in the Games.
Murder at the Games; American tourist killed on opening day
Automotive Industries (AI) asked Zag founder Scott Painter (SP) what will be the next wave in car buying.
Auto shopping made easy
The site, to be called impreAuto, is being created in partnership with Zag Inc.
Spanish-Language Publisher ImpreMedia Launches Auto Site For Hispanic Market
The Spirit Awards honored New York's Pegu Club and Seattle's Zig Zag Cafe as the Best Classic Cocktail Bars and the World's Best Cocktail Bars.
Cocktail culture alive in New Orleans
Zn-[alpha]2-glycoprotein (ZAG) [1] is a glycoprotein with a molecular mass of ~41000 Da and a crystal structure similar to that of a class I major histocompatibility complex (1,2).
LC-MS/MS quantification of Zn-[alpha]2 glycoprotein: a potential serum biomarker for prostate cancer
Schools are erecting giant banners outside their gates depicting children lying down on yellow zig zag road markings.
Human road safety signs for parking parents
If I could use only one word to describe the label for Mendocino Wine Company's new Zig Zag Zinfandel, I'd have to say: smokin'!
What were they smoking?
To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, July 2004: Wittlinger has been a successful author of YA novels such as Hard Love, Razzle, and Zig Zag. Here she tells a story through e-mails and letters, still somewhat of a novelty in YA fiction.
Wittlinger, Ellen. Heart on My Sleeve
Karl Power and pal Thomas Dunn waged a year-long campaign of harassment against Zig Zag Productions.
Joker wild at TV firm over cash