everything to lose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything to lose" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a situation where someone has a lot at stake or risks significant loss. An example is: "In this high-stakes game, he felt he had everything to lose." Alternative expressions include "everything at stake" and "all to lose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Their players had everything to lose.

The New York Times - Sports

They have everything to lose.

The Guardian

It had everything to lose.

The Guardian - Business

He has everything to lose and therefore  nothing to lose.

Independent

I have everything to lose – but also everything to gain.

The Guardian - Sport

Indian Summers had everything to lose before it even arrived.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Four men who started the decade with everything to lose.

The Guardian

It was the locals who had everything to lose and nothing to gain".

The New York Times

In the scenario Mr. Segal recommends, Israel has nothing to gain and everything to lose.

The New York Times

"I'm just trying to remind Denny he has everything to lose," Johnson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

After all, it is the only one with everything to lose.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "everything to lose" to emphasize the high stakes and potential negative consequences in a given situation. It's effective when you want to highlight the pressure and risk involved.

Common error

Avoid using "everything to lose" when the actual risk is minor or exaggerated. Overstating the potential loss can diminish the impact of your message and appear hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything to lose" typically functions as a predicate adjective or part of an adverbial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a situation where significant loss is possible. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

General

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "everything to lose" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to highlight situations with significant potential negative consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively communicates high stakes and is prevalent in news, sports, and general discussions. While versatile, avoid overusing it in contexts with minimal risk. Consider alternatives like ""a great deal at stake"" or "substantial risk involved" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great deal at stake

Focuses on the magnitude of what could be lost, rather than the act of losing itself.

much to forfeit

Emphasizes the idea of surrendering or giving up something valuable.

substantial risk involved

Highlights the presence of risk without specifically mentioning loss.

significant potential downside

Focuses on the negative consequences or disadvantages that could arise.

high stakes game

Implies a situation where the potential rewards and consequences are significant.

vulnerable position

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or loss.

exposed to great losses

Emphasizes the openness or susceptibility to experiencing significant losses.

facing considerable jeopardy

Highlights the presence of danger or risk.

precarious situation

Focuses on the instability and uncertainty of the situation.

on thin ice

Suggests being in a dangerous or risky position where a mistake could lead to negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "everything to lose" in a sentence?

You can use "everything to lose" to emphasize the high stakes and potential negative consequences in a given situation. For example, "In this negotiation, the company has "a great deal at stake".".

What phrases are similar to "everything to lose"?

Similar phrases include "much to forfeit", "substantial risk involved", or ""a great deal at stake"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "everything to loose" instead of "everything to lose"?

No, the correct phrase is "everything to lose". "Loose" (with two o's) means to set free or not tight, while "lose" (with one o) means to suffer a loss.

What's the difference between "everything to lose" and "nothing to gain"?

"Everything to lose" highlights the potential for negative consequences, while "nothing to gain" emphasizes the lack of potential benefits. They can be used together to describe a situation where there's only downside risk.