bound to crash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound to crash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is certain to fail or experience a significant problem. Example: "With all the bugs in the software, it's bound to crash during peak usage times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Sooner or later, this runaway system was bound to crash.

The New York Times

This does not mean that it is bound to crash right away.

The Economist

Eventually, somebody is bound to crash into somebody else and there is as yet no system for dealing with it.

The Economist

Beadle argued that since the British government would never devolve indigenous African affairs to Federal responsibility, native policy in the three territories would never be co-ordinated, meaning "the thing was bound to crash".

Wikipedia

If you stare at the kart in front if you and keep thinking that you will crash, you are bound to crash then!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There was something inhuman in a passion as intense as that it was a rabbity love, a tup's love, and it was bound to come crashing down to earth, just as the Artist lamented so memorably in "When Doves Cry".

The New Yorker

There was something inhuman in a passion as intense as that — it was a rabbity love, a tup's love, and it was bound to come crashing down to earth, just as the Artist lamented so memorably in "When Doves Cry".

The New Yorker

But if something's wrong, it's bound to come crashing to the ground sooner or later.

Huffington Post

It was a system that was bound to come to a crashing end.

The Guardian - Books

It is a situation that, like any borrowing bubble, is bound to lead to a crash.

The Guardian

Some consider the wall-to-wall coverage to be a car speeding on an icy road, bound to end in a crash caused by mistakes and poor judgment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bound to crash" when emphasizing an unavoidable and sudden failure. It's particularly effective when describing systems, relationships, or plans that are inherently unstable.

Common error

Avoid using "bound to crash" for minor inconveniences or easily resolvable problems. The phrase carries a strong connotation of inevitability and significant failure; reserving it for appropriate contexts maintains its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to crash" functions as a modal expression indicating a high degree of certainty about a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It combines the modal verb 'bound' with 'to' and the verb 'crash', creating a strong statement of inevitability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bound to crash" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a high probability of a sudden and significant failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s best suited for situations where the negative outcome is seen as unavoidable, particularly in news, media, and general discussions. While its usage is widespread, reserving it for appropriate contexts ensures its impact is not diluted. Related phrases like "certain to fail" or "destined to collapse" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity. Finally, remember to avoid overusing the expression in trivial situations, keeping its meaning strong and relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to fail

This alternative suggests a definite outcome of failure, similar to "bound to crash" but with a focus on general failure rather than a sudden collapse.

destined to collapse

Emphasizes the predetermined nature of the collapse, akin to "bound to crash" but with a stronger sense of fate.

sure to break down

Focuses on the breakdown aspect, similar to a crash, but can apply to systems or relationships.

going to fall apart

Implies a gradual disintegration, which can lead to a crash-like event.

doomed to catastrophe

Highlights the catastrophic nature of the inevitable event, similar to the severity implied by "crash".

inevitably going wrong

Suggests that a negative result is unavoidable, comparable to "bound to crash" in terms of certainty of a problem.

cannot avoid failure

Emphasizes the impossibility of preventing failure, aligning with the sense of inevitability in "bound to crash".

fated to disaster

Implies a predetermined and catastrophic outcome, much like a crash but with a more dramatic tone.

set up for a fall

Suggests the conditions are ripe for a negative event, similar to the prelude before a crash.

headed for ruin

Indicates a clear trajectory toward destruction, analogous to "bound to crash" in terms of an impending negative outcome.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "bound to crash"?

When something is described as "bound to crash", it means that, given the current circumstances, it's highly likely or inevitable that it will fail or experience a sudden and catastrophic breakdown.

Are there situations where using "bound to crash" is not appropriate?

Yes, using "bound to crash" is not appropriate when referring to minor setbacks or easily fixable problems. The phrase implies a significant and unavoidable failure, so it's best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong expression.

What can I say instead of "bound to crash" if I want to express a similar idea with less intensity?

If you want to express a similar idea with less intensity, you can use alternatives like "likely to fail", "destined to collapse", or "sure to break down", depending on the specific context.

How does "bound to crash" differ from "likely to fail"?

"Bound to crash" suggests a more sudden and dramatic failure, whereas "likely to fail" indicates a higher probability of failure but without necessarily implying a sudden or catastrophic event. "Bound to crash" also suggests a sense of inevitability that might not be as strong in "likely to fail".