When things "go awry," it means that something has taken a turn for the worse or has not gone as planned. While this phrase is commonly used, there are other synonyms that can be used to convey the same message. One alternative is "go wrong," which can be used in similar contexts. Another synonym is "go astray," which implies that things have gone off-course or diverged from the intended path. "Fall apart" can also be a suitable synonym, suggesting that something has collapsed or disintegrated. Finally, "backfire" is another synonym that can be used when things go wrong due to a miscalculation or poor judgement.