fall into a void

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall into a void" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone feels lost, empty, or without direction. Example: "After the project ended, I felt like I had fallen into a void, unsure of what to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Worker advocates say that claims typically fall into a void.

The New York Times

The suggestion seems to fall into a void, and Book just waits for the killers to track him down and show up at the farm.

The New Yorker

Still, watching his online job applications simply fall into a void again and again, Mr. Dudenhoeffer said he could not help growing despondent.

The New York Times

What is the impact on the families of such patients, not knowing if their loved ones recognise them and whether the words they speak are understood or fall into a void?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Pause shows a moaning half-clothed woman running from a suicide bomb in Israel and seemingly falling into a void of grey paint.

The Guardian - Arts

A veteran of many disasters, he found that the expertise of organizations like his kept falling into a void at the C.P.A. "They don't see the fragility of the system," he said.

The New Yorker

The notion of leaving a lock on a bridge emphasises that element of danger: the risk of falling into a void unless one is anchored to something stable and lasting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As medical advances have allowed patients who might have died as children to survive into adulthood, the patients are falling into a void in a health care system that has yet to develop institutions for the young and "medically fragile".

The New York Times

Mr. Goldbart said that people were so obsessed with getting rich that they fell into a void when wealth arrived, and that it was not just the overnight billionaires who were susceptible.

The New York Times

As medical advances have allowed patients who might have died as children to survive into adulthood, the patients are falling into a void in a health care system that has yet to develop institutions for the young and "medically fragile," Marc Santora reports.

The New York Times

Starting with Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilych ("not a moment of dullness, yet no cheap rush of plot either"), he has kept this up for the last three years, very occasionally receiving a response from Harper's office but more usually sending the books – from Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader to Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart – into a void.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall into a void" to describe situations where there's a sudden loss of purpose, structure, or support, leading to feelings of emptiness or disorientation. It is particularly effective in highlighting the emotional impact of such transitions.

Common error

Avoid using "fall into a void" in purely literal contexts (e.g., physical gaps or holes). The phrase is most impactful when used metaphorically to describe emotional or psychological states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall into a void" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is used to describe a state of emptiness, loss of purpose, or lack of direction. Ludwig AI provides examples where it depicts emotional states or situations lacking structure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall into a void" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a feeling of emptiness, loss of purpose, or lack of direction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily used in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is uncommon, its usage is consistent and effective in conveying a sense of disorientation or profound loss. To avoid misuse, it's important to use it metaphorically rather than in literal contexts. Alternatives like "descend into nothingness" or "sink into oblivion" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend into nothingness

Emphasizes the negative and diminishing aspect of the experience.

sink into oblivion

Focuses on being forgotten or lost from consciousness.

plummet into despair

Highlights the emotional distress associated with the experience.

lapse into apathy

Indicates a decline into indifference and lack of interest.

succumb to emptiness

Suggests a yielding to feelings of hollowness and lack of fulfillment.

enter a state of listlessness

Describes a condition of lacking energy or enthusiasm.

find oneself adrift

Conveys a sense of being without direction or purpose.

get swallowed by the abyss

Implies being overwhelmed and consumed by a vast emptiness.

fade into insignificance

Highlights the loss of importance or relevance.

vanish without a trace

Indicates a complete disappearance or loss of presence.

FAQs

How can I use "fall into a void" in a sentence?

You can use "fall into a void" to describe a situation where someone experiences a significant loss of purpose, direction, or connection, resulting in feelings of emptiness or disorientation. For example: "After retirement, he "fell into a void" because he missed the daily routine and social interactions of his job."

What are some alternatives to "fall into a void"?

Some alternatives to "fall into a void" include "descend into nothingness", "sink into oblivion", or "plummet into despair". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "fall into a void" or "fell into a void"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "fall into a void" for general statements or hypothetical situations, and "fell into a void" when describing a specific past event. For example: "Many people fear they will "fall into a void" after leaving their careers." vs. "After the company closed, she "fell into a void"."

What does it mean to "fall into a regulatory void"?

To "fall into a regulatory void" means that a particular activity, product, or service is not adequately covered by existing laws or regulations. This can lead to uncertainty, potential abuses, and a lack of accountability. It's a common expression in legal and business contexts.