completely broke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely broke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of having no money or resources left. Example: "After paying all my bills this month, I am completely broke and need to find a way to make some extra cash."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Completely broke".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm completely broke".

The New York Times

He fell asleep, completely broke.

The New York Times - Magazine

GRADY: He's in this terrible situation where they're completely broke.

The New Yorker

He started living in a van, he was completely broke.

The Guardian - Film

But then we got online and found a way to get there without going completely broke.

The New York Times

Were you instantly rich?Before the sale, we were completely broke.

The New York Times

I was twenty-four, almost completely broke, with everything I owned in one bag.

The New Yorker

And I would have been completely broke for the main event.

The New York Times

But it's still possible to eat your way through Istanbul without being left completely broke.

The Guardian - Travel

He told me his absolute goal was to die completely broke and owing millions to the I.R.S.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "completely broke", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of funds or financial resources. Avoid using it in situations where there's a temporary cash flow issue rather than a complete absence of money.

Common error

Avoid using "completely broke" to describe a temporary financial setback. This phrase implies a more severe and prolonged state of having no money at all. Consider alternatives like "short on cash" or "temporarily strapped for funds" for minor situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely broke" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, typically indicating a state of having no money. As seen in Ludwig, it's commonly used to express a person's financial situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely broke" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of having no money, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and media, indicating its widespread understanding and acceptance. While alternatives like ""flat broke"" or "utterly destitute" exist, "completely broke" offers a clear and direct way to express financial hardship. Remember to use it accurately, reflecting a true lack of funds, and avoid overstating temporary financial setbacks. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's versatility and its role in conveying financial situations across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flat broke

A more informal way to say "completely broke", suggesting a temporary lack of funds.

dead broke

An emphatic synonym, stressing the total lack of funds and mirroring the meaning of "completely broke".

penniless

Indicates the state of having no money, a direct and simple alternative to "completely broke".

totally penniless

This alternative emphasizes the complete absence of money, similar to "completely broke".

without a penny

This emphasizes the lack of even small amounts of money, similar to "completely broke" in its depiction of having no funds.

utterly destitute

This phrase suggests extreme poverty and a lack of resources, highlighting a more severe state than simply being "completely broke".

financially ruined

This term indicates a significant loss of financial stability, implying a previous state of having money, unlike "completely broke" which can also describe a temporary state.

insolvent

A formal term suggesting an inability to pay debts, often implying a more official or legal context than "completely broke".

strapped for cash

Suggests a temporary shortage of money, implying a difficult but not necessarily permanent situation compared to "completely broke".

in dire financial straits

This indicates a serious financial problem, which can lead to being "completely broke", but emphasizes the difficult situation rather than the state of being broke.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "completely broke"?

Being "completely broke" means you have no money at all. It indicates a state of being penniless or having exhausted all financial resources.

How can I use "completely broke" in a sentence?

You can use "completely broke" to describe your financial situation, such as: "After paying my rent, I am "completely broke" until my next paycheck."

What are some alternatives to saying "I'm completely broke"?

Alternatives include "I'm "flat broke"", "I'm "penniless"", or "I'm "totally destitute"" depending on the severity and context.

Is it correct to say "utterly broke" instead of "completely broke"?

Yes, "utterly broke" is a valid and semantically similar alternative to "completely broke", conveying the same meaning of having no money.