all was lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all was lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of hopelessness or despair, often in a narrative or dramatic context. Example: "As the final whistle blew and the team realized they had lost the championship, it felt as though all was lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not all was lost.

The New York Times

Not all was lost, however.

The Guardian - Sport

On Friday, all was lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

But not all was lost.

The New York Times - Sports

At this point, all was lost.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just when all was lost, jackpot.

The Guardian

But I'm not sure all was lost.

The Guardian - Music

But Democrats dismissed any suggestion that all was lost.

The New York Times

The spoon hit the glass and all was lost.

The New York Times

Despite Nadal's stunning defeat, not all was lost for Spain.

The New York Times - Sports

Nasreen's husband could not be found, and she began to think that all was lost.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. "All was lost" can sound melodramatic if overused. Use it judiciously for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "all was lost" in everyday situations where the stakes are not particularly high. Save this phrase for moments of genuine despair or irreversible consequence to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all was lost" functions as an independent clause expressing a complete thought. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to convey a sense of finality or irreversible loss. The examples show it used across diverse narratives to depict situations bereft of hope.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all was lost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a complete and irreversible loss or failure. According to Ludwig AI, it’s appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, media, and narratives aiming to convey a sense of finality or despair. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid diluting its dramatic impact. Alternatives such as "everything was gone" or "all hope was gone" can provide nuanced variations, though they may lack the comprehensive and dramatic weight of the original phrase. Remember to reserve "all was lost" for truly significant moments, ensuring it resonates effectively with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all hope was gone

Specifically emphasizes the absence of hope as the primary loss.

the end had come

Suggests a final and decisive conclusion, with potential implications of destruction or termination.

everything was gone

Focuses on the disappearance or removal of possessions or opportunities, rather than a general sense of defeat.

the situation was hopeless

Emphasizes the lack of any positive prospects or solutions.

defeat was certain

Highlights the inevitability of failure in a contest or conflict.

there was no turning back

Highlights the irreversibility of the situation, suggesting a point of no return.

there was no salvation

Emphasizes the absence of rescue or deliverance from a dire situation, often with a spiritual or dramatic connotation.

the game was over

Uses a metaphorical expression, indicating the conclusion of a struggle or competition, often with negative consequences.

it was beyond repair

Focuses on the inability to fix or restore something that is damaged or broken.

utter failure ensued

Formal and emphatic, underscoring the complete lack of success.

FAQs

How can I use "all was lost" in a sentence?

The phrase "all was lost" typically describes a situation where hope is extinguished and nothing can be salvaged. For example, "After the final battle, "all was lost", and the kingdom fell into darkness".

What can I say instead of "all was lost"?

You can use alternatives like "everything was gone", "all hope was gone", or "the game was over" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "all is lost" or "all was lost"?

"All is lost" implies a present or ongoing state of loss. "All was lost" suggests a past event where the loss occurred. The choice depends on whether the loss is still occurring or is a completed event.

What's the difference between "all was lost" and "everything was lost"?

While similar, "all was lost" carries a slightly more dramatic and comprehensive sense of finality, often implying the loss of not just material things but also hope or opportunity. "Everything was lost" is more straightforward, simply indicating that all possessions or assets are gone.