collapse to the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"collapse to the ground" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of falling or collapsing to the ground, either due to exhaustion or injury. For example: Jimmy collapsed to the ground, defeated and exhausted after running the marathon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A melodramatic collapse to the ground is entirely optional.

The New York Times - Travel

Or, perhaps, collapse to the ground and beg for mercy.

The New York Times - Magazine

As a boy Seth fantasizes about his father finding his body if he were to drown: "Would he collapse to the ground in sorrow and regret?

The New York Times - Books

A boom box plays the recorded sounds of six gunshots and, one after another, the women moan and collapse to the ground.

The New York Times

Mr. Abramovitz had rung the buzzer and was waiting to be let in when a mugger approached and struck him on the back of the head, causing him to collapse to the ground, the authorities said.

The New York Times

When Macbeth and his wife have committed to the killing of King Duncan David Collingss) — here Duncan is presented as blind, making the murder somehow seem more craven — they collapse to the ground like schoolchildren overawed by their naughtiness, as Macbeth succumbs to a fit of whinnying laughter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It collapsed to the ground.

The New York Times

Then he collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

The New York Times - Sports

Elderly men and women collapsed to the ground.

Independent

At the final whistle, many of the Dortmund players collapsed to the ground.

The New York Times - Sports

And a chaplain said he saw deputies punching an inmate until he collapsed to the ground.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collapse to the ground" to vividly describe a sudden fall resulting from physical or emotional distress. The phrase emphasizes the complete loss of control and descent to the ground.

Common error

Avoid using "collapse to the ground" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. The phrase can become repetitive and lose its impact. Vary your descriptions of falling or collapsing with alternatives like "fall to the ground" or "slump to the ground".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collapse to the ground" primarily functions as a verbal phrase describing an action. Ludwig confirms this usage, highlighting its role in depicting a sudden or uncontrolled descent. It vividly portrays a loss of stability and control, resulting in a fall.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collapse to the ground" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe a sudden fall, as validated by Ludwig. Its primary function is descriptive, painting a vivid image of someone losing their stability. Ludwig AI categorizes its register as generally neutral, although some contexts can be slightly formal, and it appears most frequently in news and media sources. When using the phrase, aim for impactful descriptions and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "fall to the ground" or "slump to the ground" for variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall to the ground

Emphasizes the action of falling, a more general term than "collapse".

crumple to the ground

Suggests a bending or folding motion during the fall, implying a loss of structural integrity.

slump to the ground

Indicates a slow and heavy fall, often due to exhaustion or weakness.

drop to the ground

Implies a sudden and uncontrolled descent.

hit the ground

Focuses on the impact with the ground, rather than the act of falling.

stumble and fall

Implies a loss of balance leading to a fall, suggesting a less dramatic or complete collapse.

topple over

Suggests falling sideways or forward, implying a lack of stability.

lose footing

Focuses on the initial loss of balance that precedes a fall.

go down

A more generic term for falling or being defeated.

bite the dust

An idiomatic expression for falling, often implying defeat or death.

FAQs

How can I use "collapse to the ground" in a sentence?

You can use "collapse to the ground" to describe someone falling due to exhaustion, injury, or emotional distress. For example: "After running the marathon, he "collapsed to the ground"."

What are some alternatives to "collapse to the ground"?

Alternatives include "fall to the ground", "slump to the ground", or "crumple to the ground". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "collapsed on the ground" or "collapse to the ground"?

"Collapse to the ground" is generally preferred because it emphasizes the motion and direction of the fall. "Collapsed on the ground" focuses more on the final position.

What does it mean when someone "collapses to the ground"?

It typically indicates a sudden loss of physical strength or consciousness, resulting in an abrupt fall. It can also suggest emotional distress or defeat, causing someone to "collapse to the ground".