a debacle of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a debacle of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has gone disastrously wrong or has failed spectacularly. Example: "The project turned into a debacle of miscommunication and poor planning, leading to its ultimate failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Never in half a century of adult life have I seen -- nor expected to see -- such a debacle of democracy.

The New York Times

On March 22nd, her latest play, "God of Carnage" — a comedy of manners, or, perhaps more accurately, a debacle of manners — opens on Broadway.

The New Yorker

Smith's three-touchdown, zero-turnover performance against the Falcons came a week after he committed four turnovers, leading to 28 points, in a debacle of a loss at Tennessee, which came a week after an encouraging display against Buffalo.

The New York Times - Sports

At the very least, New Meadowlands Stadium, in its inaugural season, has a debacle of its own that, in a very different context, can match what happened in what is now the parking lot next door on Nov. 19, 1978.

The New York Times - Sports

They did so on Friday, overcoming what Beckett called a debacle of a first inning that started with a bunt single and his own throwing error, and included a two-run homer by Evan Longoria.

The New York Times - Sports

The new mortgage rules, which are to be issued on Monday, are intended to help ensure that a debacle of the same nature and scale as the current one will not be repeated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The centennial, some marketing experts say, has turned into a debacle for one of America's most familiar brand names.

The New York Times

Inside City Hall, the calls poured in late Thursday, predicting a debacle: Hundreds of people sympathetic to the Occupy Wall Street protest were streaming into Lower Manhattan, vowing to resist a forced cleanup of the park taken over by demonstrators.

The New York Times

He dispatched his running mate, George H.W. Bush, to China to burnish the ticket's foreign policy credentials even as he expressed support for Taiwan, resulting in a debacle reminiscent of Mr. Romney's overseas travels this summer.

The New York Times

Phil Jones escaped an early debacle of tackle without a yellow card, which proved vital as he was shown a yellow for a challenge on Jordan Henderson later in the match(many, Liverpool supporters and otherwise, believe it could have been red).

Huffington Post

And yet, for the past year and a half, the government has confronted a financial debacle of unprecedented size and complexity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a debacle of" to describe situations involving a conspicuous or ignominious failure, especially when highlighting the disorganized or chaotic aspects of the failure.

Common error

Avoid using "a debacle of" for minor setbacks or inconveniences. This phrase carries a strong connotation of failure and is best reserved for situations with significant negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a debacle of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It characterizes a specific event, action, or situation as a complete and utter failure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a debacle of" is used to describe significant failures, frequently appearing in News & Media. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. While interchangeable with similar expressions like ""a complete failure of"" or ""a total mess of"", it's crucial to reserve it for events with substantial negative repercussions, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Ludwig examples show this phrase highlights the severity and disappointment associated with those failures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete failure of

Emphasizes the utter lack of success.

a disastrous episode of

Highlights the negative and harmful nature of the event.

a catastrophic series of

Suggests a chain of unfortunate events leading to a major failure.

a total mess of

Indicates a disorganized and chaotic situation.

a significant failure in

Focuses on the lack of achievement in a particular area.

a regrettable instance of

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the event.

an utter shambles of

Conveys a sense of complete disorder and incompetence.

a monumental blunder in

Highlights a significant and embarrassing mistake.

a spectacular collapse of

Stresses the sudden and dramatic way in which something failed.

a crushing defeat in

Emphasizes the feeling of being overcome and losing.

FAQs

How can I use "a debacle of" in a sentence?

You can use "a debacle of" to describe situations that have gone disastrously wrong. For instance, "The project turned into a debacle of miscommunication and poor planning".

What are some alternatives to "a debacle of"?

Alternatives include "a complete failure of", "a disastrous episode of", or "a total mess of", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a debacle of"?

Use "a debacle of" when you want to emphasize a significant failure or a chaotic situation resulting in negative outcomes. It's suitable for describing events with widespread repercussions.

Is "a debacle of" formal or informal?

"A debacle of" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both news articles and formal writing. However, avoid using it in overly casual or informal contexts.