business collapsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "business collapsed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a company or organization has failed or ceased operations, often due to financial difficulties. Example: "After years of poor management and declining sales, the once-thriving business collapsed, leaving many employees without jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then his business collapsed.

The New York Times

The business collapsed.

The Economist

"Everybody's business collapsed".

The New York Times

After Sept. 11, the tourist business collapsed.

The New York Times

My father's business collapsed amid the grief that followed.

The New Yorker

A fifty-million-dollar-a-year business collapsed overnight.

The New Yorker

When he was a boy, the business collapsed.

The Guardian - Film

The antiquarian book business collapsed under modern rent.

The New York Times

As margins in that business collapsed, it reinvented itself as a services company.

The Economist

In 1888 his business collapsed and the whole family moved to Shexian, their native land.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When these systems took off in the early 1990s, IBM's business collapsed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "business collapsed", consider adding context about the cause of the collapse to provide a more complete picture for the reader. For example, specify if it was due to economic factors, mismanagement, or unforeseen circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "business collapsed" as a standalone statement without any supporting information. This can leave the reader wondering about the specifics of the situation and the reasons behind the collapse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "business collapsed" functions as a statement indicating the abrupt failure or cessation of operations of a business. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing the downfall of various types of businesses, from small family ventures to large corporations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "business collapsed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the sudden failure of a business. Ludwig's analysis shows the phrase is widely used in news and media, as well as in encyclopedic contexts, to report on business failures. The phrase's purpose is to clearly communicate that a business has failed completely and often unexpectedly. When writing about a business collapse, it is helpful to provide context about the reasons for the failure to give readers a fuller understanding of the situation. As supported by Ludwig, this expression appears frequently in news reporting when bankruptcies and economic downfalls are concerned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business failed

Focuses directly on the failure aspect, lacking the implication of a sudden downturn.

company went under

More informal, suggesting a complete and irreversible downfall of a company.

enterprise crumbled

Emphasizes a gradual decay and disintegration of the business.

venture folded

Implies a planned or structured closure, often due to lack of success.

firm went bankrupt

Specifically indicates legal insolvency and financial ruin.

business declined

Suggests a gradual reduction in success rather than a sudden collapse.

business faltered

Implies a temporary loss of strength or momentum.

business disintegrated

Focuses on the business breaking apart, often due to internal issues.

business ceased operations

A formal way of stating that a business has stopped running.

business shut down

Indicates a complete cessation of activity, often abruptly.

FAQs

What does it mean when a business is said to have "collapsed"?

When a business is described as having "collapsed", it means that it has failed suddenly and completely, often due to financial problems or other major difficulties. It suggests a rapid and dramatic end to its operations.

What are some alternative ways to say "business collapsed"?

You can use alternatives like "business failed", "company went under", or "enterprise crumbled" to express a similar idea.

Is it appropriate to use "business collapsed" in formal writing?

Yes, "business collapsed" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports or business analyses. However, for more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "business ceased operations".

What factors might cause a business to "collapse"?

Businesses might collapse due to a range of factors, including economic downturns, poor management, increased competition, unforeseen disasters, or significant changes in the market.