disappeared without a trace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disappeared without a trace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has vanished completely, leaving no evidence or indication of their whereabouts. Example: "The hiker disappeared without a trace, prompting a massive search operation in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

While other famous people have disappeared without a trace, no disappearance seems to have had, or continues to have, such a grip on our spirits.

Huffington Post

He disappeared without a trace".

The New York Times

(Charlie later disappeared without a trace).

The New Yorker

"Some have disappeared without a trace.

The Guardian

Apparently it disappeared without a trace".

The New York Times - Books

Hundreds more disappeared without a trace.

The New York Times

Although most fringe plays quickly disappeared without a trace, several successfully transferred to London's West End.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was more ambitious but also more derivative, and it disappeared without a trace.

The New Yorker

Stalin was inserted into famous revolutionary scenes; Trotsky and other rejected comrades disappeared without a trace.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Whoever fell into the grip of SAVAK disappeared without a trace-sometimes forever.

The New Yorker

On the contrary, that unemployed army has disappeared without a trace no doubt temporarily diving into nice, safe corporate careers.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing fiction, this phrase can add suspense and intrigue to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "disappeared without a trace" when there is clear evidence or explanation for the disappearance. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the vanishing is truly mysterious and unexplained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disappeared without a trace" functions as a descriptive idiom, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a complete and mysterious vanishing. As confirmed by Ludwig, it adheres to standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disappeared without a trace" is a common idiom used to describe a complete and mysterious vanishing, leaving no clues behind. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, but also appears in encyclopedias and wiki articles. The phrase serves to emphasize the perplexing nature of the disappearance, highlighting the lack of any leads or evidence. While versatile, it should be reserved for situations where the vanishing is truly unexplained, avoiding misuse in contexts where there are known reasons or explanations for the disappearance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disappeared with no trace

Rephrases the sentence structure slightly, maintaining the core meaning of complete absence.

Vanished without a trace

Replaces "disappeared" with "vanished", emphasizing a sudden and complete disappearance.

Gone without a trace

Uses "gone" instead of "disappeared", providing a slightly more informal tone.

Disappears without a trace

Uses the third-person singular present tense, appropriate for describing habitual or general occurrences.

Evaporated without a trace

Employs "evaporated" to suggest a disappearance as if turning into vapor, highlighting the mysterious nature of the vanishing.

Faded without a trace

Substitutes "disappeared" with "faded", implying a gradual vanishing rather than a sudden one.

Missing without a trace

Shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of being absent and untraceable.

Went missing without a trace

Uses "went missing" to focus on the state of being lost or absent, rather than the action of disappearing.

Was lost without a trace

Changes the focus to being lost, highlighting the uncertainty and lack of clues.

Died without a trace

Implies death as the reason for the disappearance, adding a more somber tone.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as having "disappeared without a trace"?

It means that something or someone has vanished completely, leaving no evidence or clues behind.

What can I say instead of "disappeared without a trace"?

You can use alternatives like "vanished without a trace", "gone without a trace", or "evaporated without a trace" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "disappeared without a trace" an idiom?

Yes, it's an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where someone or something vanishes mysteriously, leaving no clues or indications of their whereabouts.

How can "disappeared without a trace" be used in a sentence?

You can use it to describe people, objects, or even abstract things, such as "The missing hiker "disappeared without a trace"" or "The hope for a peaceful resolution "disappeared without a trace" after the negotiations failed".