everything to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything to nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a transition or change from a state of abundance or significance to one of emptiness or insignificance. Example: "After the market crash, the company's value went from everything to nothing in a matter of days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"From everything to nothing".

The New York Times

Instead, there were puttering versions of "My Friend Marcus" and "Everything to Nothing," surrounded by more banter.

The New York Times - Arts

The answer ranges from everything to nothing, depending on whom you ask.Officially, ministers are meeting in Bonn to work out the final details of the Kyoto Protocol.

The Economist

Manchester Orchestra has just released its second album, "Mean Everything to Nothing" (Favorite Gentlemen/Canvasback/Columbia), a fuller-bodied update of its 2006 debut, "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child," full of hollowed-out protagonists struggling with the limitations of faith.

The New York Times - Arts

Manchester Orchestra            2 Mean Everything To Nothing Sony Oooh, grungy.

Vice

About what she wanted done, from everything to nothing to somewhere in the middle?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Travis Watson remembers the moment when he went from having everything to having nothing.

The New York Times

As Sciascia observes, the principle of changing everything to change nothing, which Lampedusa's prince-hero espouses in "The Leopard", could have applied perfectly to Moro.

The Economist

Everything pummeled to nothing".

The Guardian

Then it fades, and everything turns to nothing.

The New Yorker

The squelched keening of air in movement, running with its currents like a new sea clamped atop the old, winnowing, harrowing, pinching everything down to nothing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "everything to nothing" to highlight a stark contrast or dramatic shift from a state of having abundance or significance to a state of complete absence or insignificance.

Common error

Avoid using "everything to nothing" in situations that aren't genuinely drastic or transformative. Using it too casually can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything to nothing" functions as an idiom or expression that describes a complete reversal or drastic change in circumstances. It often signifies a shift from a state of abundance, importance, or significance to one of complete absence, insignificance, or loss, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "everything to nothing" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a drastic and complete reversal of circumstances. Ludwig confirms its validity and shows it in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While not overly frequent, it serves to emphasize a significant loss or change. Alternatives like "from riches to rags" or "from all to none" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. As Ludwig AI suggests, ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a dramatic description to avoid diminishing its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from fullness to emptiness

This phrase swaps "everything" and "nothing" with similar abstract concepts related to the quantity.

from all to none

This phrase provides a more concise and direct substitution, focusing on the complete absence of something after a period of having it.

reduced to nothing

This variation emphasizes the act of diminishing or causing something to become nonexistent.

from riches to rags

This alternative vividly describes a decline in wealth or status, emphasizing a loss of material possessions.

lost it all

This more colloquial expression conveys the sense of having suffered a total loss.

gone to zero

This expression offers a more concise, mathematically-oriented way of conveying complete loss or reduction.

from substance to void

This more philosophical phrasing uses abstract nouns to represent a change from having existence/purpose to a state of being empty.

from zenith to nadir

This alternative uses more formal language to represent a fall from the highest point to the lowest point.

vanished completely

This phrase evokes the idea of something disappearing entirely without a trace.

fallen into oblivion

This alternative suggests a descent into a state of being forgotten or unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "everything to nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "everything to nothing" to describe a sudden or complete loss. For example, "After the scandal, his reputation went from "everything" to "nothing"."

What are some alternatives to "everything to nothing"?

Some alternatives to "everything to nothing" include "from riches to rags", "from all to none", or "from zenith to nadir", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "from everything to nothing"?

Yes, "from everything to nothing" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase. The 'from' adds emphasis to the transition being described.

When is it appropriate to use "everything to nothing" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "everything to nothing" when emphasizing a complete reversal of fortune, a total loss, or a situation where something significant is reduced to nothing. However, avoid using it for minor setbacks.