fall into disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall into disarray" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to become disorganized or chaotic. Example: After the sudden resignation of the CEO, the company fell into disarray as employees struggled to figure out who was in charge.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

After Ferrari died in 1988, the team began to fall into disarray.

The New York Times - Sports

The Internet, the pundits proclaimed, was about to fall into disarray.

Harvard Business Review

He will warn that the school system could fall into disarray if the policies endorsed by the Democratic candidates are put into effect.

The New York Times

Although the political uncertainty remains high, government advisers said that Greece would not fall into disarray even if it undertook new elections in a month.

The New York Times

Nothing can travel faster than that speed, according to freshman textbooks and conversation at sophisticated wine bars; if anything could, Einstein's theory of relativity would crumble, and theoretical physics would fall into disarray.

The New York Times - Science

The prosecutors said school administrators trusted Mr. Gibson to guarantee the smooth operation of a $50 million school construction project, only to have it fall into disarray as he used it as a "billing machine" to extract improper payments.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The weaving group fell into disarray.

The New York Times

In the 1990s, the chimp farm fell into disarray.

The New York Times

But by early 1993 his gang had fallen into disarray.

The New Yorker

But that assessment changed as Venezuela fell into disarray.

The New York Times - Sports

His neighborhood had fallen into disarray because of "the economic meltdown".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall into disarray" to describe situations where a previously organized system, structure, or entity loses its order and coherence. It's effective for conveying a sense of decline or chaos.

Common error

While "fall into disarray" is a vivid phrase, avoid using it for trivial situations. Reserve it for scenarios involving significant disorder or collapse to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall into disarray" functions as a verb phrase describing a process of decline or deterioration into a state of disorder. Ludwig provides examples from various sources, illustrating its use in describing the state of organizations, systems, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall into disarray" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to describe the process of something declining into a state of disorder or chaos. According to Ludwig, it's frequently found in News & Media sources and also in Wiki and Encyclopedias, indicating a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While it's effective for describing significant declines, it should be avoided for trivial situations. Related phrases like "descend into chaos" offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase serves to vividly portray situations losing structure and coherence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend into chaos

Emphasizes a rapid and uncontrolled decline into a state of complete disorder.

deteriorate into disorder

Highlights the gradual process of decline leading to a lack of order.

devolve into mayhem

Suggests a transformation into a state of wild and uncontrolled chaos.

crumble into ruin

Focuses on the complete collapse and destruction of something.

dissolve into anarchy

Indicates a breakdown of authority and the emergence of a lawless state.

go to pieces

Implies a breakdown or collapse, often emotionally or structurally.

become disorganized

Refers to a lack of structure and order.

lose control

Suggests a loss of authority or the ability to manage a situation.

break down

Implies a failure or collapse of a system or structure.

disintegrate

Indicates a process of falling apart or losing cohesion.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall into disarray" to describe a situation where something loses order or structure, such as, "After the leader's departure, the organization "fell into disarray"".

What are some synonyms for "fall into disarray"?

Alternatives include "descend into chaos", "deteriorate into disorder", or "devolve into mayhem" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fall into disarray" or "descend into chaos"?

Both "fall into disarray" and "descend into chaos" are appropriate, but "descend into chaos" implies a more rapid and uncontrolled decline compared to "fall into disarray".

Can "fall into disarray" be used to describe personal situations?

Yes, "fall into disarray" can describe personal situations, such as "His personal life "fell into disarray" after the divorce", but it's more commonly used for organizations or systems.