completely upended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely upended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that has been thoroughly disrupted or overturned, often in a significant or unexpected way. Example: "The sudden economic crisis completely upended our plans for expansion."

✓ Grammatically correct

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Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The iPhone completely upended two industries: computing and cellphones.

The New York Times

But the Civil War completely upended Hamilton's life.

The New York Times

Doing so would have completely upended their product development organization.

Harvard Business Review

The advent of online retailing completely upended this cultural and economic ecosystem.

The New York Times - Magazine

Soon, the idyllic countryside is "drained almost empty of its men," completely upended by the rumblings of war.

The New Yorker

While the fraternity movie may never be completely upended, history shows that progress can sometimes be made from within.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Don't completely upend your normal diet, though.

The New York Times

Katharina, by contrast, brings the ominousness to the surface, completely upending Wagner's moral scheme.

The New Yorker

He said he believed the discoveries would completely upend many assumptions about the Khmer empire.

The Guardian

The reparations debate is threatening because it completely upends the usual narrative of development.

The Guardian

Sessions's aides stress that the attorney general does not want to completely upend every aspect of criminal justice policy.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely upended" to emphasize a sudden and significant disruption or reversal of a situation, plan, or expectation. This phrase is suitable when you want to convey a sense of thorough and unexpected change.

Common error

Avoid using "completely upended" in contexts where a milder term like "changed" or "modified" would suffice. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for situations where the disruption is truly profound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely upended" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe the action of something being thoroughly disrupted or overturned. Ludwig's examples show it modifying various nouns, such as "life", "industry", or "expectations".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Huffington Post

23%

Forbes

8%

Less common in

TechCrunch

5%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely upended" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a situation that has been thoroughly disrupted or overturned. According to Ludwig, this phrase is typically used in a neutral register and conveys a sense of significant and unexpected change. It appears frequently in news and media sources, as well as in publications like Huffington Post and Forbes. Alternatives include "totally overturned", "entirely disrupted", and "radically changed", allowing writers to select the most precise term for their context. When writing, it is best to use the phrase in situations where a significant disruption is apparent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally overturned

Changes "upended" to "overturned", emphasizing the reversal aspect.

entirely disrupted

Replaces "upended" with "disrupted", highlighting the disturbance caused.

radically changed

Focuses on the extent of the change, using "radically" to amplify the impact.

thoroughly reversed

Similar to "totally overturned", stressing the complete reversal of a situation.

fundamentally altered

Emphasizes that the change affects the core or foundation of something.

dramatically transformed

Highlights the dramatic nature of the change.

significantly disrupted

Focuses on the disruption as the primary outcome of the change.

utterly revolutionized

Uses "revolutionized" to suggest a complete and fundamental change.

turned upside down

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete reversal.

flipped completely around

Imagery of something flipping to denote a total reversal.

FAQs

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

You can use "completely upended" to describe a situation that has been thoroughly disrupted or overturned. For example, "The new policy "completely upended" our existing workflows."

What are some alternatives to "completely upended"?

Some alternatives include "totally overturned", "entirely disrupted", or "radically changed". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "completely" with "upended"?

While "upended" already implies a significant change, using "completely" emphasizes the thoroughness and totality of the disruption. The redundancy can add force to the statement, especially in dramatic contexts.

What's the difference between "completely upended" and "slightly altered"?

"Completely upended" signifies a major disruption or reversal, while "slightly altered" indicates a minor adjustment. The choice depends on the scale and impact of the change you're describing.