swerves

A swerve is when someone or something suddenly changes direction quickly, often unexpectedly. It can also refer to the act of intentionally steering away from something.

When people talk about a car's tires making a swerve, they mean that the driver took their foot off the gas or turned the wheel sharply, causing the vehicle to veer abruptly to one side. In some cases, like in sports or games, swerving can be a deliberate tactic to avoid obstacles or opponents. For instance, a tennis player might use a swerve to dodge an incoming ball. But even outside of competition or driving, we might say someone's plan took a swerve when it unexpectedly went off track.