crumbled to the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crumbled to the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase most frequently describes a physical object, such as a building, being destroyed and collapsing. For example, "The old house crumbled to the ground after being struck by lightning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

He crumbled to the ground, needing treatment.

The Guardian - Sport

"Miyata immediately understood intuitively … she crumbled to the ground.

The Guardian

To me, the proposed mosque looks like the twin towers as they crumbled to the ground.

The New York Times

We opened fire, and the man crumbled to the ground in dust and sparks.

The New York Times

McEwing crumbled to the ground, wincing in pain, but remained in the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Times reporters there have seen and written about buildings that crumbled to the ground, revealing very weak structural support.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet Are the consequences of not selling as bleak as the ones your narrator predicts: old people run into the ground by their own crumbling properties?

The New Yorker

The keeper crumbles to the ground as if dead.

The Guardian - Sport

We saw the innocence of a nation crumble to the ground.

The New York Times

Last month lightning hit the structure, causing several stone chunks to crumble to the ground.

The New York Times

The buildings will burst into flame and crumble to the ground on live television, seen around the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crumbled to the ground" to vividly describe the physical collapse of something, like a building or structure. It can also effectively convey a sudden loss of emotional or mental strength in a person.

Common error

Avoid using "crumbled to the ground" too loosely in abstract or figurative contexts where simpler phrases like "failed" or "disintegrated" would be more appropriate and less dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crumbled to the ground" functions as a verb phrase, typically describing the result of something collapsing or disintegrating. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase depicts a process, often implying a complete or near-complete destruction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crumbled to the ground" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that vividly depicts collapse or disintegration, often with dramatic effect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is particularly frequent in news and sports contexts, accurately portraying physical destruction or metaphorical loss. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in excessively abstract situations. When considering alternatives, phrases like "collapsed to the ground" or "fell apart" can provide subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapsed to the ground

Synonymous, emphasizing a sudden loss of structure or strength.

collapsed entirely

Highlights the completeness of the collapse.

fell to the ground

A more general term for losing an upright position.

tumbled to the ground

Suggests a rolling or unsteady descent.

caved in

Implies an inward collapse, often under pressure.

gave way

Indicates a yielding or breaking under stress.

fell apart

Describes a disintegration or breakdown, physically or emotionally.

disintegrated

Emphasizes a complete breakdown into smaller parts.

fell into ruin

Implies a state of decay and destruction over time.

bit the dust

An idiomatic expression for defeat or destruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "crumbled to the ground" to describe a physical structure collapsing, such as "The ancient ruins "crumbled to the ground" after centuries of erosion". It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's emotional state.

What's the difference between "collapsed to the ground" and "crumbled to the ground"?

"Crumbled to the ground" suggests a more gradual disintegration, while "collapsed to the ground" implies a more sudden and complete failure of structure.

What can I say instead of "crumbled to the ground" to describe a building falling?

Alternatives include "collapsed", "caved in", or "fell apart", depending on the specific way the building deteriorated.

Is "crumbled to the ground" suitable for describing a person's emotional state?

Yes, it can be used metaphorically. For example, "His hopes "crumbled to the ground" when he received the rejection letter", indicating a complete loss of hope or resolve.