all hell will break lose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all hell will break loose" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that chaos or disorder will ensue as a result of a particular action or event. Example: "If the company decides to cut benefits, all hell will break loose among the employees."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Florida or Chicago, say that to property developer and all hell will break lose.

Independent

If a grieving family notices a typo in the obit they placed, all hell will break lose.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"All hell will break loose".

The New York Times - Sports

Otherwise all hell will break loose.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the economy gets worse, all hell will break loose.

The Guardian

When that happens, all hell will break loose.

The New York Times

And if they mix, all hell will break loose".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Then all hell will break loose," she said.

The New York Times

But if he harms her, all hell will break loose.

The New York Times - Books

If we don't, all hell will break loose".

The New York Times

Obviously, there will be a crisis coming soon and all hell will break loose.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check the spelling. The correct form is "all hell will break loose", not "all hell will break lose".

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of writing "lose" instead of "loose". "Lose" means to misplace something, while "loose" means not tightly fastened or controlled. Using "loose" is crucial for the idiom's correct meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all hell will break lose" is an idiomatic expression functioning as a prediction of chaotic or disastrous events. Although often used, it's crucial to note the correct form is "all hell will break loose". Ludwig AI highlights this common error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all hell will break lose" is an idiom used to forecast chaos or disorder. However, it's a misspelling; the correct form is "all hell will break loose". As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase appears in news and media but is generally considered informal. While grammatically incorrect, its intent is readily understood. More formal alternatives include "chaos will erupt". Be cautious in formal writing and always verify the spelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all hell will break loose

Corrects the spelling of 'lose' to 'loose', resulting in a grammatically correct version of the idiom.

all hell is going to break loose

Adds "is going to" for emphasis.

chaos will erupt

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more direct and literal description of the situation.

everything will descend into chaos

Emphasizes the gradual decline into disorder.

there will be utter mayhem

Replaces "all hell" with the word "mayhem" to highlight lawlessness.

pandemonium will ensue

Substitutes a more formal and literary term for chaos.

there will be a complete uproar

Replaces "all hell" with "a complete uproar", focusing on public disturbance.

it will be complete bedlam

Uses "bedlam" to imply a scene of noisy confusion.

the situation will spiral out of control

Focuses on the loss of control rather than the intensity of the chaos.

things will fall apart

Focuses on disintegration and breakdown rather than outright chaos.

FAQs

What is the correct spelling: "all hell will break loose" or "all hell will break lose"?

The correct spelling is "all hell will break loose". The word "loose" (meaning not tight or free) is the correct term in this idiom, not "lose" (meaning to misplace something).

What does "all hell will break loose" mean?

It means that a situation is about to become chaotic, disorderly, or turbulent. It's often used to describe a situation where things are about to go very wrong.

Are there more formal alternatives to "all hell will break loose"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "chaos will erupt" or "pandemonium will ensue" for a more formal tone.

Is "all hell will break lose" grammatically correct?

No, "all hell will break lose" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "all hell will break loose".