a heap of dust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heap of dust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount of dust that has accumulated in a particular area. Example: "After weeks of neglect, the old attic was filled with a heap of dust, making it clear that no one had been up there for a long time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Nothing remains of them but a heap of dust.

The New Yorker

When many people were thinking of leaving, the owner raised this house from a heap of dust and rubble.

The Guardian - Travel

It, too, is of legs, although these are not the legs of an American nymphette but of a group of people standing around a heap of dust.

Independent

Freud was a heap of dust by the time Microsoft Word came along, but does his point hold for modern writers?

The Guardian - Books

In older versions of the golem story, when the monster got out of control, which he did by murdering and rampaging rather than frying up too much food, Rabbi Judah changed the word "emet" to "met," which is Hebrew for "death," and the golem collapsed in a heap of dust.

The New York Times - Books

It differs from mere alteration, such as the browning of an autumn leaf, where an identifiable material substratum persists, and from generation and corruption, such as the transformation of an olive seed into a tree or the decay of a rose into a heap of dust, where no identifiable material substratum persists.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He had not slept since Wednesday night, when the twin apartment blocks where he lived crashed to the ground in a heap of rubble and dust, burying hundreds of people.

The New York Times

Berlin was a heap of rubble.

The New Yorker

Has DEC become a heap of junk?

Forbes

-- but which involves a (briefly) reanimated family pet, and which should remind them of their own inevitable end, "in a heap of livid dust".

Huffington Post

Motionless at the edge of the ravine, they were miles from the city and the wide flat river that snaked into the glow, where the sun smoldered in a towering heap of dust like a cloud bank.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heap of dust" to evoke a sense of decay, abandonment, or the inevitable passing of time. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing or metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a heap of dust" in contexts where you simply mean ordinary dust. The phrase carries a stronger connotation of age, neglect, and potential worthlessness. For general cleaning, use "dust bunnies" or "dust accumulation" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heap of dust" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a tangible collection of particulate matter, often implying decay or neglect, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a heap of dust" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that paints a vivid picture of decay and neglect. While relatively uncommon in everyday conversation, Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase's imagery makes it more fitting for descriptive writing, often appearing in news and media alongside academic or scientific contexts. The phrase serves to evoke feelings of abandonment and the passage of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of ashes

Replaces 'dust' with 'ashes', emphasizing the result of burning or destruction.

a mound of debris

Substitutes 'dust' with 'debris', highlighting scattered remnants or waste material.

a cloud of particles

Focuses on the individual components of dust, suggesting a less substantial accumulation.

a scattering of grit

Emphasizes the coarse texture of the dust, implying roughness or unpleasantness.

a collection of remnants

Shifts focus to the idea of remaining traces after something has vanished.

a trace of powder

Highlights the fine, powdery nature of dust, suggesting a small quantity.

a layer of sediment

Implies a deposition of dust over time, creating a surface coating.

a film of grime

Suggests a dirty or greasy coating formed by dust and other pollutants.

a trace of residue

Focuses on the leftover material from a process, emphasizing its insignificance.

a mere speck

Underscores the small size and unimportance of the dust.

FAQs

How can I use "a heap of dust" in a sentence?

You can use "a heap of dust" to describe something that has been neglected or decayed, as in "The abandoned house had become "a heap of dust" and memories."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a heap of dust"?

Similar phrases include "a pile of ashes", "a mound of debris", or "a scattering of grit", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it appropriate to use "a heap of dust" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a heap of dust" might be more suited for descriptive or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider more precise or technical terms depending on the subject matter.

What does "a heap of dust" symbolize in literature?

In literature, "a heap of dust" often symbolizes mortality, decay, loss, or the ephemeral nature of existence. It can represent the remnants of something that was once significant but has faded over time.